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My Wartime Wedding
by Jean Patterson of Ipswich

The year was 1944, I was nineteen and serving in the WAAF, and stationed at No 1 MU Kidbrooke, London. I was engaged to Ted who was a Regular in the RAF and stationed at 32 MU St Athans, South Wales. We both worked shifts which enabled us to meet every three weeks on our long weekend off. We were very lucky.
It was early May, after one of our meetings Ted unexpectedly asked me to marry him on our next long weekend. I was a little surprised, but excited and thrilled at the prospect. The date was set for 3 June and Bridgend was the venue. Ted made the arrangements for the wedding (special licence) and I went shopping for the ring. We told no one because I was under twenty-one years of age; 'Consent to Marriage' was needed from my parents. Dad was in the RAF stationed at Wymeswold at the time, so I wrote to each of them. Time was crucial. Mail was our only contact. Ted and I wrote to each other daily. I began to get a bit worried when the letter of consent didn't arrive when expected.
As the wedding day drew nearer, my anxiety increased, but there was worse to come. On 1 June, all leave was cancelled and those on leave were recalled. The following day, all passes were withdrawn. I had no way of knowing if Ted was having similar problems. I was supposed to be travelling to Wales after my early shift. It was all so upsetting.
I decided to speak to my mates and tell them of our plans to wed. After the initial surprise, they all suggested I try to go ahead using my civilian clothes which I kept under my bed. (I used them to travel to Ipswich when I didn't have a pass.There was no timeto ponder. I decided I would change into civvies at the Railway Station.
Leaving my uniform in a suitcase at Left Luggage to be picked up on my return. I handed all my passes and forms of identification over to the girls, except my 'late pass’, which I didn't think, was relevant. I just hoped that all would be well and Ted would be able to meet me as arranged. It was fortunate that Ted and I had discussed arrangements early on.
I was quite nervous crossing London to Paddington. Every Military Policeman I saw made my heart sink. I needn't have worried; everything went well. Once on the train to Wales I felt much easier.
Ted had arranged for me to spend the night at the home of a friend of his living at Dinas Powis. The man's wife was to meet me at the station. I didn't know her, I had never met her, and I only knew she was six months pregnant. I was so relieved to see her waiting for me. She made me very welcome. She made my breakfast next day and walked with me to the railway station where I caught the train to Bridgend.
The 3rd June was a warm sunny day. The train was due to stop at Llantwitt Major, where Ted would be with his best man - I hoped. Yes, he was there. His pass had been cancelled, but his mates were covering for him. He brought me two golden yellow roses, which he had stolen from the garden of the Sergeants’ Mess! I still have them.
We arrived early at Bridgend, which was just as well, because the Registrar insisted on another witness.
The best man went out into the street and brought back a Sergeant of the Home Guard in uniform. He was our second witness. The letter from my parents arrived just in time. There were no more hitches.
After the ceremony we said farewell to our witness and thanked him. Our Best Man went back to camp, leaving Ted and me to make our way to Monmouth, the home of Ted's parents. There were no photographs, no relatives of mine, no cake, a real wartime wedding. Probably the only service wedding to take place on that particular Saturday, with all leave cancelled.
Congratulation telegrams awaited us, also one from my WAAF Officer saying "Return to your Unit immediately". I stayed on with Ted until the Tuesday, which was indeed D-Day, a day we all remember. On my return to camp, I was told to report to the Guard Room where I was charged with' Absent without Leave. At that time it could have been worse; I was given 14 days detention. After the charge my WAAF officer called me back to her office and congratulated me on our wedding. She went on to explain it was the absence of my 'late' pass which gave me away!
I learned later that Ted had not been missed! But eyebrows were raised when he applied for Marriage Allowance! I still have my parents' letter of consent and the telegrams, but I lost Ted in December 1999. He was 80 years old and we had spent 55 years married.

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