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 L C S Davey, RAF, and Miss M D Taylor

A Bideford Victory bride and bridegroom were Miss Margery Doreen Taylor, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Tom Taylor, of Blacksmith’s Arms Inn, Bideford E, and Corpl Leonard Charles Stewart Davey, RAF, only son of Mr and Mrs C E Davey, of Belle Vue, Waltham Avenue, Guildford, Surrey, formerly of 27 Meddon Street, Bideford.

They had chosen Thursday, August 16th for their marriage and by happy coincidence this turned out to be VJ plus one. Thus they will always be able to say that the town was decorated, the bells rang, bands played, bonfires were lit and there was every sign of general rejoicing on their wedding day.

The bridegroom, who has been serving with CMF, is well remembered in Bideford rowing circles. The bride has been employed in the Health Department of Bideford Rural District Council and at Tuesday’s meeting of the Council the chairman (Mr J C Hilton) extended their congratulations and best wishes to her and her husband.

The wedding ceremony was at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, the Rev T R Gibby officiating.

The bride was attended by Miss Mary Taylor, the bridegroom was accompanied by Mr J Screech, who carried out the duties of best man. Mrs Trigger was at the organ.

Four lucky horseshoe symbols were presented to the bride by Miss June Screech, Master Michael Watts, Miss Suzanne Jones and Baby Caroline Blackmore.

A reception was held at the Royal Hotel, Bideford, some eighty guests being entertained. Ilfracombe was chosen for the honeymoon.

The bride’s bouquet was afterwards placed on the grave of the bridegroom’s great-aunt and that of the bridesmaid was sent to a friend of the bride at Hawley Sanatorium.

The full Gazette article is dated 28 August 1945

Wed At Bideford

Mr J U Fulford and Miss B M Wear

There was much local interest in the wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Wednesday, of Mr John Underhill Fulford, eldest son of Alderman and Mrs H W Fulford, of Glenburnie, Bideford, and the eldest grandson of the late Mr J U Fulford, and Miss Barbara Mary Wear, younger daughter of Mrs Wear, Aysha, Westward Ho! and the late Mr Alfred Wear (Stock Exchange, London).

Both the bridegroom and the best man, his cousin, Mr Dennis Cockram, who are serving with the forces, wore uniform. Before enlisting, the bridegroom was a chartered accountant in London.

The Rector of Bideford, Rev W N Manning, officiated , Mr E H Champion was at the organ in the unavoidable absence through illness of Mr R Harper.

Gazette article dated 30 January 1940

Canadian Army bridegroom and Monkleigh bride

Pte K J Steer (Canadian Army) and Miss K H Hill

Five bridesmaids attended the bride at the wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Wednesday July 18th, the Rev T R Gibby officiating, of Pte Kenneth John Steer, of the Canadian Army, younger son of Mr and Mrs E Steer, of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and Miss Kathleen Helena Hill, younger daughter of Mr L E Hill, of Sylvania, Sask… and Mrs Hill, of Corner House, Monkleigh.

Mr R Harper presided at the organ.

The bride, given away by Mr J Lang, was attired in a long brocaded silk gown with train and white shoes and gloves. The chief bridesmaid, Miss Marjorie Grigg, close friend of the bride, wore a long pink silk crepe gown, with shoes and gloves to match. The other bridesmaid, Misses Janet Bird and Marilyn Sussex, cousins of the bridegroom, and Misses Mary Cox and Dorothy Slade, friends of the bride, were in long ankle-length gowns of turquoise blue ordandie, short-waisted, with sashes, and over pink slips. Mr J Beer (Ilfracombe), uncle of the bridegroom, carried out the duties of best man. The ushers were Messrs T Bird and P Cox.

The reception was held at the Church Institute, Bideford, where about 130 guests were entertained. Many presents were received, including a cheque from the staff at Bideford General Post Office, where the bride has been for about three and a half years.

Torquay was chosen for the honeymoon. Their future home will be at Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

The full Gazette article is dated 31 July 1945