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.

Married in London

Two serving members of the Royal Navy, who were married on Saturday at St. Stephen’s Church, South Kensington, SW7, united Torrington and Instow families.

The bride, a Leading Wren in the Clerical branch of the WRNS, was Miss Valerie Ann Finnamore, daughter of Mr and Mrs Bert Finnamore, 33 New Street, Torrington. The bridegroom, a radio and radar electrical artificer in the Royal Navy, was Mr Edwin John Martin, son of Mr and Mrs T Martin, Tennis View, Instow.

Mr Ashley Martin, the bridegroom’s brother, carried out the duties of best man.

The reception was held in the Hotel Regina, Kensington.

The full Gazette article is dated 15 April 1955

Road Accident Postponed Their Honeymoon

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.