Frances watches as grandaughter Felicity gives Gerald a hug for his Golden Wedding.

Gerald was a teacher from North Canterbury who served in the South Pacific during World War II. Frances worked in the auction room in Dunedin and worked on coastal radar during the war. They met at a WEA summer camp just after Christmas 1945. At the end of the camp she went south and he went north. My grandmother told me she was terribly embarassed at the farewell at the railway station. This was no brief encounter however and the couple continued a long-distance courtship. In September, 1946 Gerald visited Frances in Dunedin, presented her with a large bunch of freesias and asked her to marry him. They chose a sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

In July 1949, their first son Frankie was born. Joy turned to sorrow when Frankie failed to thrive, and died a few months later. Olwen (that's me) followed in July 1950, Judith in April 1953, Clifford (now known by his second name Morgan) in January 1958, and Yvonne completed the family in March 1964.

For most of their married life the Gerald and Frances lived in Dunedin. They were both active in politics. Gerald was involved with primary school sports and chess. He helped to found the Dunedin Pakeke Lions Club and was their first president. Frances was involved with the Country Women's Institute, League of Mothers, Christian Women's Temperance Union and the Rechabite Lodge.

They moved to Christchurch late in 1994. Gerald suffered from myasthenia gravis, and Parkinson's disease, and had to move into residential care at the Nurse Maude Hospital. Frances lives in a small unit close by and visited him nearly everyday until his death in July 1997. She remains active in a variety of organisations.

	The Golden Wedding celebration took the form of afternoon tea at Nurse Maude for the family. Judith baked a cake which she decorated with gold and yellow flowers and hand-embroidered decorations. She also embroidered a commemorative wall plaque.
Frances and Gerald	Gerald with his grandaughters,  Felicity and Zoe
From Left: Yvonne with Zoe, Frances, Gregory (front), Morgan (back),  Gerald (front), Judith (rear), Olwen, Felicity on Lynda's knee.