A FORMER Worcester doctor and his wife were today celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Bruce and Peggie Milligan, who now live in Malvern, are celebrating 50 years together, having married on August 31, 1940 in Chester.

Dr Milligan was a GP at Thorneloe Lodge Surgery in Barbourne, Worcester, for 30 years, before retiring in 1980.

Within days of their wedding, Dr Milligan, who was in the Royal Army Medical Corps, went off to war and was in North Africa during 1942 and 1943.

Following this he administered to soldiers on a troop ship in the Mediterranean and travelled around field stations.

Mrs Milligan remained in Chester during the war and served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

On demobilisation, the couple came to live in Worcester and Dr Milligan went into general practice in Barbourne.

As well as being a GP, Dr Milligan was also a police surgeon and doctor to the Worcester Boxing Club for more than 30 years.

He was a member of the Hadley Bowling Club, a member of the Worcester Golf and Country Club and a keen Freemason for 50 years.

The couple lived in Fernhill Heath, near Worcester, for many years, where Mrs Milligan was a founder member of the Royal British Legion Women's Section, of which she is a life member.

In the mid 1970s Dr and Mrs Milligan moved to Smith End Green, near Leigh Sinton, and in 1991 to Malvern, where they are enjoying their retirement.

Wildlife

They both like to walk and Dr Milligan, aged 89, has a keen interest in wildlife, especially birds, and Mrs Milligan, 84, is an avid bridge player.

They have a married son, living in New Zealand, who is a vet and a married daughter, a nurse, living in Birmingham. They have four grandchildren.

Dr and Mrs Milligan will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with a party for family and close friends at the Foley Arms Hotel, Malvern, this Sunday.