Military Bridegrooms

Pretty Scene at Westward Ho!
There was a pretty scene at the Westward Ho! Baptist Church on December 26th when the wedding took place between L/Cpl Frank Gray, younger son of Mr and Mrs B Gray, Holt Cottage, Appledore, and Miss Alice Mary Wilkey, twin daughter of Mr and Mrs F J Wilkey, Venton Farm, Westward Ho!
The Rev F Hobbs officiated and Miss S Barrett was at the organ. The bride was attended by her twin sister, Mrs J K Moore. Driver W R Langdon, brother-in-law of the bridegroom, carried out the duties of best man. The ushers were Messrs M Wilkey and M Wyatt.

Pte H Connor and Miss D Akast

There have been a number other pretty local weddings in the district.
At St Mary’s Church, Appledore, on December 31st, the wedding took place of Pte Hervey Connor, of the Royal West Kent (the Queen’s) Regiment, son of the late Mr T J Connor, RE, of London and of the late Mrs Connor, and Miss Doris Akast, youngest daughter of the late Mr F J Akast and of Mrs M Akast of London.
The bride was given away by Mr J Tobin. Mr A Heard deputised for L/Cpl G Pound, the brother of the bridegroom, as best man.
A reception was held at Halsbury House, Appledore, the home of the bride, where the Vicar proposed the health of the happy couple.

Mr F J Cloke and Miss E V Squires

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Boxing Day, the wedding took place between Mr Percival John Cloke, second son of Mr and Mrs J Cloke, Marland Terrace, Bideford, and Miss Eileen Vera Squires, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J Squires, 1 Myrtle Grove, Bideford.
The Rev R Y Stone officiated at the ceremony. Mr R Harper presided at the organ. There were five bridesmaids – Miss Muriel Squires, Miss Yvonne Horn, Miss Joyce Blight, Miss Mary Squires, and Miss Mabel Emery. Mr Philip Evans of Appledore carried out the duties of best man.

The full Gazette article is dated 7 January 1941