Uncle Percy L and Aunt May's wedding

Lorna’s Aunt May - the author of the amusing account of Lorna’s father Albert’s driving blipped yesterday - was married three months into World War I, in September 1914. This photograph of the wedding party includes several members of Lorna’s family.

- The bridegroom is Lorna’s Uncle Percy L (the youngest of Lorna’s father Albert’s four brothers)
- The mother of the groom - Lorna’s paternal grandmother (Grannie) - is the seated lady in the fine hat and fluffy (feather?) stole.
- The father of the groom - Lorna’s paternal grandfather (Gabriel) - is pictured on the right of the shot in what looks like an early attempt at photoshopping

We know from a newspaper report of the wedding that one of the bridesmaids is Lorna’s Aunt Gladys. The youngest of all Lorna’s father Albert’s siblings, Aunt Gladys would have been aged 20 or 21 on the date of the wedding. We cannot be certain which bridesmaid is Aunt Gladys. Our best guess is that she is the one seated directly in front of the bride.

Seven years later in 1921 Aunt Gladys, by this time married herself, gave birth to Lorna’s Cousin Barbara. We have already blipped a couple of pictures of Barbara - swinging from a tree in August 1939 just before the outbreak of World War II, and as a bridesmaid for (her and Lorna’s) Cousin Diana. Cousin Diana, born in 1919, was the only child of Aunt May and Uncle Percy L pictured above (see also our blip of 2nd June 2020).

We don’t know whether Lorna herself attended the wedding. She would have only been eight months old at the time. She may well have been left at home with her brother Theo in the care of a nanny while their parents enjoyed the marriage celebrations.

The newspaper report of the wedding is extensive. For example, we learn from this that the bridesmaids’ sashes were made from flame coloured ninon de soie, and each was given an amethyst and pearl brooch by the groom. A full list of wedding presents is also provided in the report. For example, we know that Lorna’s parents gave May and Percy a silver crumb scoop, and her grandparents each gave them a cheque. Some of the presents listed are quite surprising: a vacuum cleaner (it would be interesting to know the cost of such an appliance in 1914); sliver smelling salts; and a Shetland sheep puppy (which, we hope, was not a surprise to Aunt May and Uncle Percy!)

The day before the wedding several members of the families of the bride and groom, some local dignitaries, and people employed by Aunt May's father attended a ceremony at the family firm. A total of around 300 people looked on as Aunt May was presented with an inscribed silver rose bowl and a pair of silver napkin rings. A number of speeches were made, including one by the bride-to-be. Another was made by one of her father’s employees, who represented members of the workforce that had raised the money by subscription for the two wedding presents.