HUSBAND and wife Joe and Bridie Shuker were buried together after dying within 48 hours of each other.

The devoted couple, who first met on wartime service, were devastated when earlier this year Bridie was diagnosed as suffering from cancer.

She underwent an emergency operation and spent five weeks in hospital before returning home.

Their daughter-in-law Joyce Shuker, of Tyldesley Road, Hindsford, said:"I think Bridie's illness broke Joe's heart. Joe was sitting in a chair talking to us last Monday at their home when he suffered a heart attack and died.

"Fortunately Bridie was in another room at the time."

Sadly, less than two days later, Mrs Shuker died in their King's Court home. She had been told of her husband's death.

Army veteran Joe, 75, saw wartime service with the Eniskillen Regiment and was a corporal and acting sergeant when he left the Army Catering Corps in 1968.

The funeral of Joe and Bridie, 76, was held on Tuesday at St Richard's RC Church, Atherton followed by interment at Tyldesley Cemetery.

Royal British Legion member Mr Shuker's coffin was draped with the Union flag and bore his service medals.

The Shukers are survived by a married son, Tom, and a grandson.

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