Sunderland couple celebrate their diamond day with telegram from the Queen

A couple who lived in Sunderland for many years celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

By Andrew Coulson

Published 1st Apr 2020, 03:31 BST

Updated 1st Apr 2020, 03:32 BST

Henry Johnson, known as Harry, met Selina (nee Bradley) when he was 18 and she was 17 and they got married on March 26, 1960, aged 20 and 19, at St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth.

Selina worked at Jackson’s the tailors and Harry was a fitter at Silksworth Colliery.

They have one daughter, Karen, son-in-law Tom and granddaughter Alexandra, aged 25. They moved away from the Sunderland area in 2004 and today live in Ipswich.

Harry and Selina Johnson on their wedding day.

Karen said her mother has battled cancer twice and “came through stronger” and her father spent Christmas and New Year in hospital with a chronic chest infection and “we nearly lost him twice, so neither thought they would see this anniversary”.

She added: “They were delighted to receive a telegram from the Queen and hopefully they will be able to fully celebrate when everything gets back to normal.”

Queen Sunderland