- Contributed byÌý
- British Schools Museum
- People in story:Ìý
- John A Monks, Gwen Hitchings, Mrs Beatrice Maud Monks, Mrs Elizabeth Hitchings, Mr William Hitchings and others.
- Location of story:Ìý
- Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, South Wales.
- Background to story:Ìý
- Civilian
- Article ID:Ìý
- A8095845
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 28 December 2005
From left to right - Mrs Elizabeth Hitchings, Mr William Hitchings, Mrs Beatrice Maud Monks, Mr William Hitchings, Flight Sgt John A Monks (groom), Miss Ann Monks, Miss Gwen Hitchings (bride), Mrs Evelyn Moore, Gunner Partridge, Miss Betty Hitchings, Mr Fred Smith, Mrs Doreen Rowlands (nee Hitchings) and Mr Norman Hitchings. In front - Miss Rosemary Mendus.
This story A8095845 is submitted by the British Schools Museum on behalf of Mrs Rosemary Ransome.
My mother and father were married on Wednesday 25th March 1942. Here’s how the local newspaper reported it:
"Flight Sergeant John A Monks, Cheshire and Gwendoline Hitchings, Pembroke Dock, South Wales.
The wedding took place at St. John’s Church, Pembroke Dock, of Flight Sergeant John A Monks, RAF, only son of Mrs and the late Mr W T Monks, Heath Hey, Pensby Road, Heswall, Cheshire and Miss Gwen Hitchings, second daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Hitchings, 23 Waterloo, Pembroke Dock, South Wales. The Revs J. B. Lewis and Leslie Evans, curates, officiated.
Given away by her father, the bride was attired in a French blue two-piece trimmed with lynx fur with brown accessories and carried a bouquet of pink carnations. In attendance as Matron of Honour was the bride’s sister, Mrs Evelyn Moore, who wore a clover two-piece trimmed with grey squirrel fur. She had navy accessories and wore a spray of anemones. The bridesmaid was Miss Ann Monks (bridegroom’s sister), who was attired in navy with clover accessories and wore a spray of anemones. Gunner William Hitchings (brother of the bride) was the best man, while the groomsmen were Gunner Partridge and Mr Fred Smith (friends).
During the service the hymns ‘Lead us Heavenly Father’ and ‘O Love Divine’ were sung and appropriate music was played on the organ by Mr R Mumford.
Amongst those present were the bridegroom’s mother, attired in a navy edge-to-edge coat and frock, and the bride’s mother in a blue coat and floral frock. As the couple left the church the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe by a little friend, Margaret Cole.
After a reception at the bride’s home, the couple left for their honeymoon in Cardiff."
My father's war-time story can be found on this website at Article A8090552.
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