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.

Bideford Wedding

Three sisters of the bride were bridesmaids at the wedding at Bideford Baptist Church, on May 22nd, of Craftsman Ronald Arthur Payne, REME, elder son of Mr and Mrs A E Payne, 2 Wensley Green, Leeds, and Miss Evelyn May Langdon, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs S Langdon, Rose Lea, 2 Wimbourne Terrace, Bideford.
The Rev F Hobbs officiated at the ceremony. Mr W S Darch was at the organ. The bride’s three sisters – Misses Kathleen, Vera and Joan Langdon – were bridesmaids. Gunner Fields, friend of bride and bridegroom, carried out the duties of best man. Mr H Phillips and Master John Langdon were ushers. AC 2 J L Payne, and Flying Officer R C Langdon, were unable to attend.
On leaving the church the bride was presented with horseshoe tokens by Master Denis Langdon and the Misses Hazel and Caroline Chope.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 June 1944

Corporal R T Terhune, USA Army, and Miss J Williams

The wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on February 19th, of Corpl Robert T Terhune, US Army, only son of Mr and Mrs Walter Terhune, of Milford, Mass. USA, and Miss Joan Williams, only daughter of Mrs F Williams and the late Mr Harry Williams, 2 Sunnyside, Bideford.

The Rector, Rev Preb W N Manning, officiated at the service. Mr R Harper presided at the organ.
The bride was given away by her uncle, Sgt/Major Bert Beer. The duties of matron of honour were carried out by Mrs G Sims, Able Seaman Frank Luckett, Royal Navy, was best man. On leaving the church the bride was presented with three silver horseshoes by Miss Eunice Sims, Miss Patricia Pym and Master Owen Sims. The reception was held at the Royal Hotel. The bouquet and flowers were supplied by Messrs Braund Bros, High Street.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 March 1945

Bideford Bride

S/Sgt H J Bates (US Army) and Miss R Hearn

Much local interest was taken in the wedding on February 17th at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, of S/Sgt Harold John Bates, US Army, only child of Mr E E Bates and the late Mrs Bates, of Quentin Road, Brooklyn, 29, New York, and Miss Rona Hearn (NFS), only child of Mr and Mr E B Hearn, Beachside, Torridge Place, Bideford.
Preb W N Manning, Rector of Bideford, officiated and the organist was Mr R Harper.
Three bridesmaids attended the bride – Misses Jean Jewell, Doreen Westcott and Judith Butler. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Hector Jewell, uncle of the bride. On leaving the church the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe by Suzanne Jones. The reception was held at the Church Institute, Bideford. Catering arrangements were by Mrs Trickey, Cleverdon’s Hotel.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 March 1945