Names

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Corpl F G Raymont and Miss I M Crothall

Recently home from the Middle East, after five years’ service there with the RAF, Corpl Frederick George Raymont, Hill View, Landcross, near Bideford, was married on May 29th at St Mary’s Church, Andover, to Miss Irene Margaret Crothall, daughter of Mr and Mrs W H Crothall, 53 Charlton Road, Andover.

The Vicar of Andover, Rev A C Fletcher, officiated at the ceremony.

Given away by her father, who was wearing medals awarded him for service with the RAMC in the last war, and also a long service medal with the RAF, the bride was attired in a blue two-piece, navy blue hat, with a veil and navy gloves and shoes. There was one bridesmaid – Miss Mary Rainsley. The bridegroom’s mother and father were unable to be present, and two brothers, Messrs S and R Raymont, were prevented from attending, being in HM Forces. The bride’s brother, Mr R W Crothall was best man.

A reception was held at the home of the bride, and the happy couple later left for the bridegroom’s home, where the honeymoon is being spent.

The full Gazette article is dated 1943

Gnr R S Fiddes and Miss L E M Mountjoy

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Easter Monday,

the wedding took place of Gnr Robert Sydney Fiddes, of Wallsend-on-Tyne, and Miss Linda Ethel Maud Mountjoy, second daughter of the late Mr R Mountjoy and Mrs W Sheppard, 4 Waterloo Terrace, Bideford.

The service was choral, Mr R Harper at the organ, played the wedding marches. The Rev R Y Stone officiated. The bride’s sister, Miss J Mountjoy, attended at bridesmaid. Sergt A Fiddes discharged the duties of best man.

A reception was held at the bride’s home where the bridegroom’s father and sister proposed the health of the happy couple. The bouquets of the bride and her attendant were afterwards placed on the grave of the bride’s father.

The full Gazette article is dated 21 April 1942

Sergt C C Prust and Miss M Banks

Members of Abbotsham section of the Home Guard provided a guard of honour

at the wedding at St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham, on Saturday November 8th, of Sergt Constantine Charles Prust, Fairview House, Abbotsham, and Miss Martha Banks, second daughter of Mr and Mrs A E Banks, 17 Droversdale Road, Bircotes, near Doncaster.

The bridegroom, who was in the Territorials, has been on service since the outbreak of war. Prior to this he was a member of the office staff of the Bideford Gazette. A member of Bideford Wheelers, he had also taken a keen interest in the Boy Scout movement.

The wedding ceremony was conducted by the Rev Basil M Challoner.

The full Gazette article is dated 18 November 1941