People

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.

Lieut A E Wood, RN, and Miss Doris Hobbs

Charming scenes were presented at the wedding at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, on Saturday, of Lieut (E) Arthur Edwin Wood, of Gosport, and Miss Doris Beatrice Hobbs, only daughter of Mr and Mrs F Hobbs, of Plymouth. The bride is a grand-daughter of the late Capt W Hobbs, of Appledore.

The Rev H C A S Muller, MA, RN, retd (vicar of Appledore) officiated. The service was fully choral and the happy couple were greeted by peals on the bells.

Miss Barrington was the organist.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress of white satin beaute with a long, full train from the skirt, open Bishop’s sleeves, and was girdled with silver cord. Her long embroidered veil was held in place by a coronet of seed pearls and orange blossom. Her only ornament was a gold naval cap badge brooch.

There were four bridesmaids and three small attendants. The chief bridesmaid was Miss K Wood, Mrs H King, Miss F Slocombe, and Miss E Hooper. The small attendants and train bearers were Miss Joyce Taylor, Master Mathew Blackmore, and Miss Joan Walters.

The best man was Sub-Lieut H G Souchwood RN. Both he and the bridegroom were in full naval uniform.

The bride presented the bridegroom with a dressing gown and he gave her a mink marmot coat and a crocodile handbag. The four senior bridesmaids received naval cap badge brooches from the bridegroom, and the two small attendants naval crown badges and the page boy a gold signet ring.

A reception was held at Riverside, Marine Parade, Appledore , and later Lieut and Mrs A E Wood left for London where the honeymoon is being spent, the bride travelling in a mink marmot coat and petrol blue frock and hat.

22.12.1936 wedding

The full Gazette article is dated 22 December 1936

Births, Engagements and Marriages

23 December 1966

Hodgkins – On December 15th 1966 at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Arthur Vivian and Monica (nee Newcombe), a daughter, Julie, a sister for Shane.
Williams – On December 17th 1966 at Colchester Maternity Hospital, to Mary (nee Screech) and Len, a daughter, Carol Jane, sister for Denise and Linda.

Blaney-Lang – The engagement is announced between John, only son of Mr and Mrs T W Blaney, St Jean, Old Barnstaple Road, Bideford E, and Jennifer, only daughter of Mr and Mrs P Lang, Longclose, Parkham.
Cawsey-Bennett – Mr and Mrs V R Bennett of 16 The Quay, Appledore, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their eldest daughter, Marilyn, to Michael, youngest son of Mr and Mrs E Cawsey, 19 Meeting Street, Appledore.
Thisby-Netting – Mr and Mrs A E T Netting, of the White Hart Inn are happy to announce the engagement of their only daughter, Jill Elizabeth Ann, to David John, eldest son of Mr and Mrs W L Thisby, Uptoncot, Sentry Corner.

Kempton-Cooksley – On Monday December 19th 1966, Captain H J Kempton MBE, RM, retd, to Miss Sylvia Mary Cooksely.
Rudkin-Ware – On December 21st 1966, Neil, second son of Mrs and the late Mr J N Rudkin, 3 Coldharbour, Bideford, to Carol, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Ware, 149 Chestnut Avenue, Exeter.

Ashplant-Taylor – On December 26th 1941 at High Street Methodist Church, Bideford, by the Rev T E Clarke, John Douglas to Barbara Marie Adelaide. Present address, The Manse, 5 Queen’s Road, Lipson, Plymouth.

Blackmore-Schiller – On December 26th 1926, Wilfred to Elsie, at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, by Rev Wilson.
Day-Hutchings – On December 27th 1926 at St Mary’s, Appledore, George to Annie Augusta. Present address: Sunset, Hill Cliff Terrace, Appledore.

Engagements and Weddings

30 December 1966

Allen-Spencer – Mr and Mrs F Spencer have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their second eldest daughter, Jennifer, 21 Barton Tors, to Graham, son of Mrs C Allen and the late Mr C Allen, 68 Stucley Road, Bideford.
Cornish-Towner – Mr and Mrs P H Towner, 54 Mill Street, Torrington, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their eldest daughter Ann to Richard David, only son of Mr and Mrs A E Cornish, 3 Town Park Estate, Torrington.
Daniel-Andrews – Mr and Mrs G H Andrews, of the Lamb Inn, Honestone Street, Bideford, have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their youngest daughter, Gill, to John, only son of Mr and Mrs W J Daniel, of Jaycroft, Cornborough Road, Westward Ho!
Evans-Wilson – The engagement is announced between Gillian, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A V Wilson, 16 Barton Tors, Bideford, and Victor, only son of Mr and Mrs L Evans, 16 Tower Street, Northam.
Hopkins-Houldridge – Mr and Mrs Houldridge, 17 Sea View Road, Northam, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their youngest daughter Diana to Roger, elder son of Mr and Mrs B Hopkins, 26 Clifton Street, Bideford East.
Hoyle-Bennett – Mr and Mrs R Bennett, 50 Well Street, Torrington, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter Susan, to Geoffrey, son of Mrs J Hoyle, and the late Mr Hoyle, 12 Goosegreen, Torrington.
Rogers-Langman – Mr and Mrs C J Langman, 6 Elmdale Road, Bideford, are happy to announce the engagement of their only daughter, Janet, to Geoffrey, only son of Mr and Mrs A F Rogers, Riverdale, 5 Charles Avenue, Kingsley Road, Bideford.
Richards-Harris – Mr and Mrs W R Harris, Union Inn, Stibb Cross, have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only daughter Maureen Elizabeth to James Malcolm, son of Mr and Mrs J Richards, Hillside, Greensplat, St Austell.
Violet-Maynard – Mr and Mrs R G Maynard, The Divot, Kingsley Road, Westward Ho! are happy to announce the engagement of their youngest daughter Gillian, to John, only son of Mr and Mrs R Violet, West Pusehill, Westward Ho!

Babb-Harris – On December 27th 1926 at the Congregational Church, Bideford, by Rev A Clegg, Frank to Polly. Present address, 26 Milton Place, Bideford.

Hockin-Branch – On December 25th 1906 at SS. Mary and Benedict, Buckland Brewer, by the Rev De-Courcy-Ireland, Archibald Thomas to Alice Mary. Present address, Meadowville, Horns Cross, Bideford.