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.

Sergt A G L W Braund and Miss L W Bedler

A wedding of much local interest was solemnised at St Mary’s Church on December 8th, the bridegroom being Sergt A G L W Braund, only son of Leading Seaman Braund and Mrs Braund, 5 Elmscott Terrace, Bideford, and the bride, Miss L W Bedler, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Bedler of 19 Bowden Green, Bideford.

The Rev R Y Stone officiated and Mr R Harper was at the organ. There was one bridesmaid in attendance – Miss Phyllis Bedler. Sgin G A Lockyer carried out the duties of the best man.

A reception was held at Torridge Inn where 60 guests were entertained.

The full Gazette article is dated 15 December 1943

Bideford Wedding

Flight-Sergt T J Paddon and Miss F M Mills

A bridegroom who returned to this country last summer after three and a half years service with the RAF in Iraq was married at Bideford Baptist Church on January 2nd. He is Flight-Sergt Thomas John Paddon, only son of Mr and Mrs R Paddon, 20 Chingswell Street, Bideford, and his bride is Miss Florence Maud Mills, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J H Mills, 14 Victoria Grove, Bideford. Flight-Sergt Paddon is an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School and joined the service from school.

The wedding ceremony was conducted by the Rev F Hobbs. Mr W Darch was at the organ. The bride’s veil and headdress were lent by Mrs I Hold, a friend. On leaving the Church, the bride was presented with silver horse-shoes by her niece, Miss Margaret Jewell, and by the bridegroom’s mother. Miss Millicent Mills was the bridesmaid. Mr R C Beer, friend of the bridegroom, carried out the duties of best man.

A reception was held at the Baptist schoolroom. The bride was presented with a silver sauce boat from her fellow work mates at the British Rola; a set of Pyrex dishes from the Baptist Girls’ Friendly Circle, in addition to many other presents. The dressmaker was Miss Chapple, the florists Messrs Braund, and the caterer, Mrs Butt.

Gazette article dated 12 January 1943

The Fortunes Of War

Bidefordian’s bride from resistance movement

Romance and the fortunes of war shone on the marriage solemnised at Bridge Street Methodist Church, Bideford, on August 10th, of Capt Ronald Slade, RAC, second son of Capt and Mrs Slade, 29 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, and Miss Patricia Verbeeck, only daughter of Lieut and Mrs Verbeeck, 100 Boulevard Jacquard, Calais, France.

The bridegroom, who come of a well-known family of five brothers, all Old Boys of Bideford Grammar School, speaks French well, and worked for European Resistance Movements before and after D-Day.

The Rev H Wilkinson officiated at the ceremony and Mr E G Laycok was at the organ. The bride was escorted by Mr E A Slade, BA, brother of the bridegroom.

Miss Joan Whitton was bridesmaid. Mr Trevor Slade carried out the duties of best man.

After the ceremony the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe token by little Miss Margaret Slade. A reception was held at Friendship’s Café, Bideford.

The honeymoon was spent in North Devon.

The full Gazette article is dated 28 April 1945