The love between Peter (95) and Berry (89) Hackett has stood the test of time.
Camera IconThe love between Peter (95) and Berry (89) Hackett has stood the test of time. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson d481836

A platinum love: Port Kennedy couple celebrates 70th wedding anniversary

Vanessa SchmittWeekend Kwinana Courier

A ROMANCE that blossomed during the war years between Peter (95) and Berry (89) Hackett reached a platinum milestone this month.

The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on April 10 with Bethanie Waters Port Kennedy residents, family and friends.

Mr Hackett was an artillery man in the Army and later an infantryman.

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In 1944, he was posted to the Rockingham rest camp and attended a dance in a hall on Safety Bay Road.

It was there he met a 16-year-old Berry, who attended the dance with her sister.

“I walked them home to Penguin Road,” Mr Hackett said.

Soon after Mr Hackett filled his pockets with chocolate and visited Berry’s family of nine.

“Chocolate wasn’t available due to rations so I was very popular,” Mr Hackett said.

Mr Hackett went away again with the Army and sent the occasional letter to Berry during World War II.

When he returned, he was posted to Dwellingup and again met up with Berry.

After the war, Mr Hackett found himself without a trade and he struggled to find work.

Eventually he got three weeks work at the General Post Office in Perth – a job that turned into 30-years of employment.

Mr Hackett married Berry in Nedlands in 1948.

They settled in Ardross and had two boys and a girl.

They moved to Rockingham about 30 years ago and have seven grandchildren.

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