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.

LAC R A Whitlock, RAF, and Miss P M Slade

The wedding took place at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Appledore, on July 27th 1944, of Leading Aircraftman R A Whitlock, RAF, only son of Mr and Mrs C Whitlock, 25 Lime Grove, Bideford, and Miss Pamela Mary Slade, only daughter of Mrs D Slade, 18 Meeting Street, Appledore, and the late Capt J V Slade.
Rev Bertram L Hardy officiated and Mrs E Evans presided at the organ.
The bride was given away by her cousin, Capt Wm Slade. There were three bridesmaids and page boy: Misses Dorothy Blackmore, Barbara Whitlock, Joan Porter and Master Norman Piper. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Ronald S Ley.
A reception was held in the Baptist Sunday School room.
The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of numerous presents including: from the Baptist Sunday School, Bideford Food Office; and Pickfords Ltd. About twenty congratulatory telegrams were received.
Weston-Super-Mare was chosen for the honeymoon.
The flowers for the decoration of the Church and the reception was a gift of Mrs M G Hedden, of South Bank, Bideford, where the bridegroom’s father is employed.
The full Gazette article is dated 8 August 1944

Bideford Families United

A.B/St J Osborne and Miss P Trott

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Saturday July 22nd, the wedding took place of A.B/S.T John Osborne, twin son of Mr and Mrs W Osborne, 28 Torrington Lane, Bideford E. and Miss Phyllis Trott, daughter of Mrs M Trott, 13 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, and the late Mr F Trott.
Rev T R Gibby officiated at the ceremony and Mr R Harper was the organ.
Given away by her uncle, Mr G Blackmore, the bride wore a dress of white cloque, with veil and headdress of orange blossom.
The bride’s sister, Miss Alice Trott was bridesmaid. Mr Lewis Gorrell carried out the duties of best man. On leaving the church, the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe good luck token by her cousin, Miss Brenda Seviour.
A.B and Mrs Osborne later left for Parracombe for their honeymoon.
Full Gazette article is dated 8 August 1944

Bideford Bride and Bridegroom

Pte T E Shortridge and Miss F T Daniel

The wedding took place on Saturday, May 15th, at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, the Rev R Stone officiating, of Private Thomas Edwin Shortridge, younger son of Mr and the late Mrs J Shortridge, 35 Clifton Street, Bideford, and Miss Florence Tryphena Daniel, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs S Daniel, 1 Newport Terrace, Bideford.
Mr R Harper presided at the organ.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress of white ring velvet with trailing veil and headdress of orange blossom. Her only ornament was a locket in the form of a prayer book, lent by her friend Miss W Knight. She was attended by two bridesmaids and a page boy – Miss M Daniel, Miss Pam Shortridge and Alan Daniel. Mr W Shortridge, brother of the bridegroom, carried out the duties of best man.
On leaving the church, the bride was presented with lucky horseshoes by Misses Pam Shortridge, Patricia Blackmore and Gwen Trott. Sapper G Shortridge and Pte R Shortridge, CMP, were unable to attend owing to military service.
A reception was held at the Torridge Inn, where over 60 guests were entertained.
The honeymoon was spent at Parracome near Lynton.
The full Gazette article is dated 8 June 1943