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.

Mr J G Hallett and Miss E M Ford

An Appledore couple wed at the end of March are still waiting to go on honeymoon.

They are Mr James Gordon Hallett, only son of Mr and Mrs G Hallett, of Rosedale Cottage, Vernons Lane, and Miss Eileen May Ford, youngest daughter of Mrs and the late Mr F J Ford, 19 One End Street, who were married at Appledore Methodist Church.

Mr and Mrs Hallett’s honeymoon was to have been spent at Exmouth but on their way there the car they were travelling in was involved in an accident and both bride and bridegroom spent a short time in hospital.

The bride sustained a fractured arm and the bridegroom was bruised and shaken. After treatment they returned home to Appledore and have not been able to travel since, although they are hoping to have a honeymoon soon – but not at Exmouth!

Pastor J Evison, assisted by the Rev D Cox, officiated at the wedding service and Mr S Hill was organist. Given in marriage by her brother, Mr F A Ford.

The full Gazette article is dated 11 April 1963.

Births, Engagements and Marriages

6 November 1945

Jeffery – November 1 1945 at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Ethel (nee Timms), wife of Walter Jeffery, of Jiffords Hele, Meeth, Okehampton, a son.
Kelly – November 5 at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Private and Mrs F J Kelly (nee Audrey Welch), a sister for Pat.
Maynard – October 31 at the Nook, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! to Lilian (nee Pilcher) and Ronald Maynard, a daughter, Carol Francis.
Moore – November 4 at Beach Road, Westward Ho! to Mr and Mrs J Moore (nee Gwen Wilkey), a son, a brother for Fred and Jim.
Palmer – November 4 at Rosemoor, Torrington, to Annie, wife of Lieut-Colonel J E Palmer, a son.

Graham-Weall – Moorhead – engagement announced between Sub. Lieut Dominic Harved Graham Weall, RNVR, son of the late Mr and Mrs Johy Graham Weall, Hayes Barton, Garston, Watford, and Helen Mary Moorhead, Lieut, FANY, daughter of Mr and Mrs Gilbert Moorhead of Durrants, Northam.

George-Jewell – October 24 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Arthur Edward George, son of Mrs and the late Mr George, Hereford, to Winifred Joan Jewell, daughter of Mr and Mrs Jewell, 5 Newport Terrace, Bideford.
Griffiths-Moore – October 18 at the Parish Church, Falmouth, Capt N L R Griffiths, Royal Marines, son of Mr and Mrs H R Griffiths, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, to Lucy Van Ryn, daughter of Mr R T Morse, Falmouth.
Hill-Thurston – November 3 at Woodford Avenue Congregational Church, Ilford, Stanley Melvin, son of Mr and Mrs J G Hill, Mount Pleasant, High Street, Bideford, to Aylmer, daughter of Mr and Mrs A Thursdon, 88 Windsor Road, Ilford.
Woods-Twynan – October 20 at All Saints’ Church, Malabar Hill, Bombay, Major Frank Michell Woods, DSC, Royal Marines, son of Lt-Colonel G G Woods and Mrs Woods, of Michelwood, Camberley, to Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Mr and Mrs Twynan, Soberton, Hampshire, and Bombay.
Wright-Hayward – November 3 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, by the Rev Giddy, Trooper A Wright, 14th Army, SEAC, son of Mr and Mrs G Wright, Fulbourne, Cambridge, to Joyce L Hayward, 15 Glendale Terrace, Bideford.

Old Folks’ Home Wedding

Jack and Marie

The first couple to marry from Torridge View Welfare Home, Torrington, Mr Jack Johns and the former Miss Marie Braund, after their wedding at Northam Register Office on Saturday.

The bridegroom is 78 and a widower: his bride still refuses to reveal her age, but the couple were at school together.

Mr Johns formerly lived at Dyke Green, Higher Clovelly, and has been at the old people’s home since last April. His wife, who it has been said, will be the last of the famous Braunds of Bucks Mills ever to marry from the village, left her Corner Cottage there to enter the home the following month to the great regret of villagers with whom she was highly popular. All shared her happiness on Saturday.

The bride, wearing the customary rose in her hair, was given away by the Superintendent of the home, Mr Matt Robinson. Care assistant Mr Reg Baker was best man.

A reception at the home for family and friends was attended by 28 guests. But all residents shared the wedding breakfast.

There was no honeymoon, but the couple were immediately transferred to married quarters – a move made possible by a recent remodelling of the building. And there they found a double bed – ‘very unusual in an old people’s home’ – the matron, Mrs Joan Robinson, told the Gazette.

Article dated 4 March 1977