Real Lives: Bill and Christine Rutherford

Published on Tuesday 8 January 2008 09:21

Bill and Christine Rutherford celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

TO mark the occasion of 60 years of married life together, Bill and Christine Rutherford chose to get together with 60 of their friends at the Tusitala Pavilion in Fairmilehead.

The couple, who are both aged in their 80s, met in 1943, during the Second World War when they were both serving in Rangoon, Burma. Bill was a serviceman in the RAF and Chris was a ward sister with the Queen Alexandra Nursing Corps in the 52nd General Indian Hospital.

It was not the most auspicious meeting – Bill's commanding officer was a patient at the hospital and Bill got a stern telling off from Chris because he entered the ward without permission.

However, the meeting was the spark of a long, loving relationship, and on January 15, 1948 the couple, who now live in Longniddry, East Lothian, were married at St Paul's and St George's Episcopal Church in York Place. They spent their honeymoon in Torquay.

In 1940, when Bill was 15, he joined the Royal Society of Edinburgh – an organisation he returned to after the war.

In 1955 he became assistant secretary and librarian and he continued to work at the society until he took early retirement in 1985.

During his working life, Bill served on numerous committees such as Aslib, the Association for Information Management, where his work was recognised when he was elected as an honorary life member. In 1970, he was also elected a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

Three years later, Bill was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This was the first time an employee had been recognised in this way for services to science and learning in Scotland.

In the meantime, Chris continued her nursing career until the birth of their first daughter, Patricia, in 1949. Twins Valerie and Hilary arrived in 1955 and the family was completed with the arrival of Brian in 1956.

Chris, despite being kept extremely busy caring for the family, spent several years working part-time at the Royal Victoria Hospital, then at the Cheshire Home in Trinity.

She also found time over the years to help out with various voluntary organisations.

Bill joined the Rotary Club of Great Britain and Ireland in 1975 as a member of the Edinburgh Club, and has held several positions within the organisation over the years.

In 1989 the club honoured him with a Paul Harris Fellowship to recognise his efforts. He was also elected district governor in 1991.

Chris, who was born in County Cork, is an active member of Inner Wheel, and through their involvement with Rotary the couple have travelled extensively. A special highlight was the Rotary International Assembly at Anaheim in California. Bill is now a member of the Braid's Club.

Their main interest, however, has always been their family. They are proud and supportive parents and grandparents and were thrilled to be joined by their family and friends for their anniversary celebration last Saturday.