70 years of marriage for Mr and Mrs Cocks

On 17 May, two residents of Resthaven Marion will celebrate a significant milestone anniversary, and they are still as loved-up as they were 70-years-ago.

Mr Robert ‘Bob’ and Mrs Audrey ‘Rae’ Cocks met in 1950, at John Martins department store, where they both worked.

Mr Cocks remembers, ‘We worked together – I was in sales, and she was the store’s seamstress. I couldn’t get my mind off her, so one day, I asked her to the pictures.’

Rae happily said yes. Although the couple couldn’t remember what movie they saw, they remember how strongly they felt for one another all those years ago.

‘We dated for a couple of years, before marrying at our local Congregational Church in Torrensville, on 17 May 1952.’

‘My parents had a large property, and at the time, it made the most sense for us to move in with them. We all got along just fine.’

After many months of saving, Mr and Mrs Cocks were able to purchase the house from his parents, who were looking at downsizing.

‘We loved that house and had already started making a life for ourselves there with our daughter and son. It was all timing, really.’

Although, the couple didn’t settle in their first home for long.

‘I found employment with the Harris Scarfe’s sales team, and I was a bit of a rover – I travelled to many different places around Australia, often having to stay somewhere for a couple of years before moving on to the next place.’

Through Bob’s work, the Cocks family were given the opportunity to live in Port Lincoln, Naracoorte, and Adelaide, with many family trips to Tumby Bay.

‘We were very lucky to have that job. Our life was an adventure, and we have many photographs and memories throughout the different chapters in our lives.’

Now, the Cocks are preparing to celebrate 70 years of marriage, both residing at Resthaven Marion.

‘It is great to continue living together, even if only in the same building. Rae visits me upstairs, and I come down each morning and we walk to have breakfast together.’

‘After all this time, we are still best of friends, and couldn’t be apart.’

Happy anniversary, Mr and Mrs Cocks.