- Eric Tweedsdale, 96 and Enid Bradshaw, 94, first met at Merrlyands RSL in 1939
- The couple lost contact after Mr Tweedsdale went off to serve in World War II
- They reunited in 2004 at Merrylands RSL, the place where they first fell in love
- The couple live metres away from one another at a NSW retirement village
- Mr Tweedsdale played 10 Tests for the Australian Wallabies rugby union team
Australia’s oldest surviving rugby union international has rekindled the flame with his childhood sweetheart after 62 years apart.
Eric Tweedsdale, 96 and Enid Bradshaw, 94, first met in 1939 at Merrylands RSL club.
They were engaged but drifted apart when Mr Tweedsdale served in the navy during World War II.
The couple parted ways and both went on to marry and have children with their new partners.
“It was a complete surprise to see Eric after all those years of having no contact at all. We had a cup of coffee, chatted about the time that had passed and ended up missing our train,” Enid Bradshaw said.
The pair were reunited in 2004 at a youth group reunion at Merrylands RSL, the place where they first fell in love all those years ago.
‘There were six of us left from the youth group and our friends organised for Enid to wait at the big clock at Central Station for someone to meet her to get the train into Merrylands RSL and I offered as I was travelling by train [from the Central Coast],’ Mr Tweedsdale recalled.
‘We knew each other straight away even after 62 years. She was still a blonde – but a slightly different tone of blonde – and she still had those lovely big blue eyes. She was a beautiful girl and I thought she looked even more beautiful at 80-odd years young.’
Following the reunion, Mr Tweedsdale and Mrs Bradshaw were friends for several years before romance blossomed again.
Eric and Enid say that they finish each other’s sentences after being reunited six decades after they last saw each other
They now live metres away from one another at Peninsula Village Retirement Village at Umina Beach on the NSW Central Coast.
‘Ours is a most unusual story with a happy ending,’ Mrs Bradshaw said.
We not only spend time reminiscing, but look forward to the days ahead with keen anticipation.’
Mr Tweedsdale added: ‘We both believe it was just meant to be.’
Mr Tweedsdale played 10 Tests for the Wallabies between 1946 and 1949.