Lionel and his sweetheart Gwen and inset, on their wedding day 70 years ago. 69815 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Vanessa Chircop
IT’S a friendship that has spanned almost a century and a love that has stood the test of time and separation.
Lionel and Gwen Garnsworthy grew up living two doors from each other on Victoria St, Williamstown.
They have known each other since the age of two, went to the same school, played together as children and shared romantic lunches in the park together as adults both working in the city.
On 23 August 1941, the lifelong friends married and last month celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
Lionel said the secret to their marriage was they have always been good friends – and they would have to be, because just days after their wedding Lionel left his bride to join the air force during World War II.
The veteran served four and half years in the Middle East before returning home to start a family with his best friend, Gwen.
The couple, both 94, have three sons, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Up until recently Lionel was an active member of Williamstown’s Legacy – even receiving an award for 50 years of service to the foundation.
The pair have always played an active role in the community with Gwen volunteering at the Blood Bank during WWII and working in reception at the Williamstown Hospital while her children were in school.
Lionel also played lacrosse for Williamstown and before the war was part of the first team to be taken interstate to play the sport.
He also passed the sport onto his children with all three of his sons playing for Williamstown and some of his grandkids also taking up the sport.
“Three generations have played down in Williamstown – makes me very proud,” he said.
Gwen and Lionel moved out of Williamstown for the first time last year – moving into a nursing home in Footscray.
“We’ve been blessed,” Lionel said.
Gwen reiterated her husband’s sentiments.
“For him to come back and for us to have all these years together – we’ve been blessed,” she said.
