Wedding Wednesday – Stanley Turner and Grace Park

Stanley Turner is my 1st cousin 2x removed. His parents are Alexander Turner and Jane Brotherton. Our common ancestors are Thomas Turner and Mary Jane Carradice – my 2x great grandparents.

Stanley was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire in 1924.

On 31 March 1948 Stanley married Grace Park at Moor Lane Methodist Church, Clitheroe. The wedding was reported in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times on Friday 2 April 1948 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

 

TURNER – PARK

At Moor Lane Methodist Church on Wednesday, Miss Grace Park, of 13 Montague Street, Clitheroe, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Park, Elswick, near Blackpool, was married to Mr. Stanley Turner, youngest son of Mrs. Turner and the late Mr. Turner, of Whipp Avenue, Clitheroe.
The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. Robert Park, was attired in a navy costume with white accessories and had a spray of pink carnations. She was attended by Miss J. Turner, sister of the bridegroom, who wore a brown dress with tan accessories and also had a spray of pink carnations.
The best man was Mr. W. Turner, brother of the bridegroom, and Mr. N. Park, brother of the bride, was groomsman.
During the service which was conducted by the Rev. F. Smith, the hymns “The Voice That Breathed O’er Eden” and “O Perfect Love” were sung. Mr. W. Taylor was organist.
After a reception at the bride’s home, Mr. and Mrs. Turner left for Blackpool. They are to reside at 13 Montague Street.
Among the wedding gifts were household utensils from work friends of the bride at Messrs. Woolworths, Clitheroe.

Wedding Wednesday – William Lord and Marjorie Lord (nee Musgrove)

Marjorie Musgrove is my 1st cousin 1x removed. Her parents are James Musgrove and Edith Jane Hibble. Our common ancestors are Joseph Musgrove and Elizabeth Ann Turner – my great grandparents.

I posted about Marjorie’s wedding to John Edward Lord – here.

Sadly John Edward was killed fighting in WW2 on 20 February 1944 – see blog post here.

On 20 October 1945 Marjorie married William Lord at Clitheroe Congregational Church, Lancashire. A report of the wedding was in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times on 26 October (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

LORD-LORD

Mr. William Lord, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Lord, 9 Castle View, Clitheroe, was married at Clitheroe Congregational Church on Saturday to Mrs. Marjorie Lord, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Musgrove, 51 Woone Lane, Clitheroe.
Given away by her father, the bride wore a light-blue woollen two-piece with black accessories. Mrs. Kirk (friend of the bride) was matron-of-honour, whilst the bride’s daughter, Miss Pat Lord, was bridesmaid. Mrs. Kirk had a navy-blue wool two-piece, and Miss Lord a pale-green wool dress. Both wore sprays of carnations.
Mr. Sydney Burridge was best man, and Mr. Tom Hibble, groomsman. The Rev. C. J. Guildford officiated.
The reception was held in the Co-operative Guild Room. Mr. and Mrs. Lord are to reside at 27 Chatburn Road, Clitheroe.

William passed away in 2005 at the age of 85. And Marjorie lived until the age of 96 before she passed away on 12 February 2018.

Military Monday – Edmund John May (1893-1975)

Edmund John May is my 3rd cousin 1x removed. His parents are John May and Mary Ellen Buckley. Our common ancestors are Thomas Buckley and Henrietta Mason, my 3x great grandparents.

Edmund was was born on 20 April 1893 in Keighley, West Yorkshire. By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to Stanningley – a district in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Edmund is described as a “solicitors clerk”.

I have found some surviving military service records for Edmund on Find My Past, but these have been partially damaged by fire.

Edmund had a medical examination in Leeds on 30 August 1916. His occupation is listed as “clerk” – possibly in the same job he had at the time of the 1911 census. His height is given as exactly 5 feet and he weighed 108lbs.

On enlistment Edmund was assigned to the army reserve. Then on 31 October 1916 he was mobilised and posted to the 2/5th Highland Light Infantry with a regimental service number of 5977.

Although the documents are not very easy to read it looks like Edmund was promoted to Acting Corporal on 7 August 1917. Some eight months later on 23 April 1918 Edmund reverted to the rank of Private but two days later he was appointed Lance Corporal. However the note suggests this was unpaid – so perhaps he had the rank but not the pay!

As far as I can tell Edmund was then transferred in October 1918 to the Royal Engineers as a Lance Corporal with a new service number of 327966. Th following year, on 9 October 1919, Edmund was issued with his Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity (for soldiers not remaining with the colours).

Edmund returned home to Leeds where he married in 1922 and had one son. He passed away in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, in 1975.

Wedding Wednesday – George Dacre Crewdson and Clara Shackleton

Clara Shackleton is my 2nd cousin 2x removed. Her parents are James Shackleton and Mary Elizabeth Haworth. Our common ancestors are William Stowell and Ellen Lane – my 3x great grandparents.

Clara was born on 20 April 1900 in Burnley, Lancashire.

On 30 August 1922 Clara married George Dacre Crewdson at Holy Trinity Church, Habergham Eaves, Lancashire. The wedding was announced in the Burnley News on Saturday 2 September 1922 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

CREWDSON – SHACKLETON

The marriage took place at Holy Trinity Church on Wednesday of Miss Clara Shackleton, of Church Street, Briercliffe, and Mr. George Crewdson, of Burnley. Both are well known as local vocalists, Miss Shackleton as a soprano and Mr. Crewdson as a tenor, the latter having been a member of Trinity choir for over twenty years.
The bride, who was given away by her cousin, Mr. H. Thornton, wore a grey floral crepe dress and a silver grey Hatters plush hat, and her bouquet consisted of Madonna lilies and pink carnations. She was attended by her cousin, Miss Winifred Corrin, and a little niece. Mr. J. W. Crewdson, brother of groom, acted as best man. Mr. J. Armistead, Mus.Bac., presided at the organ and played suitable music.
After the ceremony tea was served in the Harle Syke Cafe, and the evening was spent in dancing, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Crewdson were the recipients of numerous presents. The honeymoon is being spent at Bispham.

I have written previously about the early death of George – here

Military Monday – Alexander Stowell (1876-1912)

Alexander Stowell is my 1st cousin 3x removed. His parents are Alexander Stowell and Margaret Colbridge. Our common ancestors are William Stowell and Ellen Lane – my 3x great grandparents.

Alexander was born in Padiham, Lancashire – his birth is registered in the March quarter of 1876.

In the 1881 and 1891 census returns Alexander was living with his parents and siblings at 50 Pendle Street, Padiham. In 1891 his occupation is described as a cotton weaver.

Alexander subsequently joined the 2nd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 5 January 1892 – his service number was 10153.

He was serving in India when he married Mignonette Frances Sybil Kerr on 31 January 1907 at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Allahabad, Bengal. As far as I can establish Mignonette was from a military family who had been serving in India for at least a couple of generations.

The following year Alexander was initiated as a Freemason on 12 September 1908 in the Ubique Lodge at Barrackpore, Bengal. His army rank at this time was Staff Sergeant.

I haven’t yet been able to find any information about the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in India during the time that Alexander was serving there.

Alexander died on 24 August 1912. The burial record below shows that he died of pneumonia.

The Register of Soldiers Effects show that Alexander and Mignonette had two children – Alexander Alfred and Olivia Kathleen.

 

Black Sheep Sunday – Wallace Walker Wilkinson (1899-1946)

Wallace Walker Wilkinson is my wife’s 3rd cousin 2x removed. His parents are William Walker Wilkinson and Annie Gostelow. Wallace and my wife’s common ancestors are David Gostelow and Susannah Sewell (my wife’s 4x great grandparents.

Wallace was born on 28 September 1899 – his birth is registered in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

On 21 June 1920 Wallace married Louisa Elizabeth Hazel in Grimsby. Just over three years later things had started to take a wrong turn for Wallace and Louisa. The Hull Daily Mail ran the following story on 20 August 1923 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

STOLE £14 AND DESERTED WIFE AT GRIMSBY

At the Grimsby Borough Police Court this morning, a gardener named Wallace Walker Wilkinson (23) was sentenced to four months hard labour for stealing £14, the property of Jack Thompson, a grocer, from the house, 106 Earl Street, between August 7th and 11th.
The evidence showed that Mrs Thompson put £14 into a cash box, which she locked and put in a drawer in the front bedroom. The key was placed in another drawer. Two days later defendant, who had been lodging at the house with his wife and child, left the house and did not return. Two days after that Mrs Thompson missed the money.
Detective Watson arrested the man in Grimsby last week, and Wilkinson admitted taking the money and going to Rochester.
Superintendent Whitty said that defendant, who had been to a reformatory school and Borstal, had said that differences with his wife led him to commit the theft and go away. Defendant had left a letter to his wife, saying that he was going away for good, and that if any attempt was made to follow him he would “do himself in.” and his child as well.
“I’ve nothing to say; let’s get it over,” was defendant’s only comment in court.

The following extract from the Police Gazette of 9 August 1918 shows that Wallace had been arrested and was awaiting trial at Wiltshire Quarter Sessions on 8 October 1918 for stealing a jacket and other items. It also suggests that he had previous convictions for burglary and larceny in Grimsby and Leigh (Lancashire).

At his trial in October 1918 Wallace was sentenced at Marlborough Court to six months in prison.

I can’t find any later reports of Wallace being in trouble again.

He passed away sometime in the September quarter of 1946 – his death is registered at Skipton, Yorkshire.

Dent Stowell (1909-1955)

ALL’S NOT FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR

Dent Stowell is my 3rd cousin 2x removed. His parents are Dent Stowell and Rose Ann Cairns. Our common ancestors are John Stowell and Ann Riddeoff, my 4x great grandparents.

Dent was born on 1 March 1909 – his birth was registered in Burnley, Lancashire. On 31 March 1909 he was baptised at Holy Trinity church, Habergham Eaves, Lancashire.

Sometime in the June quarter of 1930 Dent married Winifred Atkinson, the marriage is registered in Burnley. Sadly things appear to have gone badly fairly quickly and Dent found himself in court in January 1932. The case was reported in the Burnley Express on 30 January (images below from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

BROKEN THREADS

A BURNLEY DOMESTIC TRAGEDY

Dent Stowell (22), of 32 Cotton Street, appeared in Wednesday’s Burnley Police Court to answer an application by his wife for variation of an order, under the Guardianship of Infants Act, made at a time when defendant was on the dole. Mr D. Race said there was also a judgment summons for arrears of £3 12s under the order. The defendant had now resumed work. The complainant had only done two days’ work since Christmas, and was not in receipt of the dole.
Winifred Stowell (20), 48 Lowerhouse Lane, gave evidence in support.
The defendant said he only commenced work the previous week on four looms. He was 22 years old, and lodged with his grandmother. He desired, now he had got into work, to pay something off the arrears.
The Mayor (Alderman Place): Do you think 2s will keep your child? – No.
Has your child to “claim”? – No, but I can’t pay out of nowt, and she will not let me see the child.
Eventually the defendant offered to pay 1s towards the arrears each week.
The Mayor: You are 22 and your wife 20, don’t you think it is two young lives being wasted? Do you not think there is a possibility of your getting together?
Defendant: You have no right to ask me that question.
The Clerk: Oh, yes we have.
Defendant: I have tried to get her to come back to me.
The Mayor: The magistrates are going to retire for a few minutes, and want the defendant and his wife to come into their room.
Mr Race: The wife says she cannot see that any good purpose would be served.
The Mayor announced that the magistrates had decided to vary the order from 2s to 4s per week. If the defendant did not pay that regularly she could apply again. He had also to express on behalf of the magistrates their great disappointment that the parties should have decided to live apart.
Answering the husband on the question of access to the child, the Mayor said he was entitled to see it if he went in a proper manner at a reasonable time.
Defendant: I will not go down to their house again. I have been two or three times and they have refused to let me in.
The Mayor: You cannot expect her to bring it you.

It was almost another eight years before Dent and Winfred were eventually divorced. A report of the hearing was published in the Lancashire Evening Post on 13 December 1939.

On the grounds of her husband’s adultery, Mrs Winfred Stowell, of Colegate Street, Burnley, was granted a decree nisi, with costs and custody of their child, against Mr D. Stowell. The parties were married in 1930, and petitioner alleged that her husband left her about two months after their marriage. Respondent was alleged to have committed adultery on August 7th this year at Burnley. The suit was undefended.

By the summer of 1940 both Dent and Winifred had remarried, I guess with hopes of much more happiness next time round.

Dent married Florence Delia Dean on 30 July 1940 at Burnley Register Office.

In 1938 Dent had joined the Royal Artillery – his military service number was 1437555. I know from the local newspaper reports that at some point he became a Prisoner of War (POW). The Burnley Express reports on 5 May 1945 that Dent was among six Burnley men, all ex POW’s, to have arrived home from Germany.

Dent would now be able to resume life with Florence and their children after what must have been a really difficult time for all of them. However by the end of January 1948 there is another newspaper report from the Burnley Express on 31 January.

Mr Dent Stowell, of 12 Adland Street, Burnley, was granted a decree nisi by Judge B. Ormerod at Manchester Divorce Court on Tuesday on the grounds of misconduct by his wife, Mrs Florence Delia Stowell. The parties were married on July 30th 1940 at Burnley Registry Office. There were two children of the marriage and they were with the mother. The suit was not contested.

 

Within two months of his divorce Dent’s father (also Dent) died on 28 March 1948. There are links to posts about Dent Stowell (senior) – here, here, here, and here.

Florence remarried twice more before passing away in 2012 at the age of 97.

Dent died on 31 May 1955 at the young age of 46 and was buried on 3 June at Burnley Cemetery.

I feel that Dent certainly had an eventful life but maybe not one that brought him much happiness – his father was convicted of bigamy, he spent time as a POW in Germany and had two marriages ending in divorce.

Wedding Wednesday – Kenneth Turner and Doris Humble

Kenneth Turner is my 1st cousin 2x removed. His parents are Alexander Turner and Jane Alice Brotherton. Our common ancestors are Thomas Turner and Mary Jane Carradice – my 2x great grandparents.

Kenneth was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, on 8 May 1921.

In the 1939 Register, taken at the outbreak of WW2, Kenneth is living with his parents and siblings at 20 Whipp Avenue, Clitheroe. His occupation is given as “machine minder at bleach works”.

Kenneth married Doris Humble in the summer of 1944. The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times of 4 August 1944 reported on their wedding (image taken from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

TURNER – HUMBLE

The wedding was solemnised on Friday at the Moor Lane Methodist Church, between L.A.C. Kenneth Turner, R.A.F., the fifth son of Mrs. J. A. and the late Mr A. Turner, 20 Whipp Avenue, Clitheroe, and Aircraftwoman Doris Humble, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Humble, 34 Station Road, Armley, Leeds.
Given away by her brother, Mr. R. Humble, the bride, who was in her W.A.A.F. uniform, was attended by her sister, Miss Gwynneth Humble, who is serving in the A.T.S. The bride carried a small prayer book. Mr. W. J. Jones acted as best man, and the duties of groomsman were carried out by Mr J. W. Woods. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. E. Storey.
To his bride, the bridegroom gave a silver compact, receiving from her a signet ring, and his gift to the bridesmaid was a locket. As the bride was leaving the church, she was presented with a silver horse shoe by the bridegroom’s sister, Miss Jenny Turner. Amongst the many presents received was a cheque from R.A.F. colleagues.
After a reception, held at the home of the bridegroom, Mr. and Mrs. Turner left for their honeymoon which is being spent at Cleveleys.

Wedding Wednesday – William Wallbank and Florence M Smith

William Wallbank is my 3rd cousin 1x removed. His parents are Ernest Wallbank and Sarah Rushton. Our common ancestors are Martin Gawthrop and Ann Kighley – my 3x great grandparents.

William was born in Cowling, West Yorkshire on 27 August 1908.

On Thursday 1 June 1933 William married Florence M Smith at Christ Church, Colne, Lancashire. The wedding was announced in the Nelson Leader on Friday 2 June 1933 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

COLNE FARMING FAMILIES UNITED

Two well-known Colne farming families were united at Christ Church, Colne, yesterday, the bridegroom being Mr. William Wallbank, of Higher Clough Farm, and the bride, Miss Florence Smith, elder daughter of Mr. Herbert and the late Mrs. Smith, of Tock Hill Farm.
The bride, given away by her uncle, Mr. E. Stansfield, of Morecambe, wore a beaute satin gown with wreath and veil. She was attended by her sister, Miss M. Smith, and Miss Annie Wallbank, sister of the bridegroom, both wearing mauve georgette with silver leaf head-dresses and shoes to tone. The bride carried pink roses and the bridesmaid’s bouquets were of sweet peas. Mr. L. Smith, brother of the bride, was best man.
Following a reception at Higher Clough Farm, Mr. and Mrs. Wallbank left for Morecambe for their honeymoon.

Wedding Wednesday – Richard Teale Crabtree and Ellen Dorothea Harrison

Ellen Dorothea Harrison is my 3rd cousin 1x removed. Her parents are George Holroyd Harrison and Florence Shaw Hurtley. Our common ancestors are Thomas Hurtley and Hannah Braidley – my 3x great grandparents.

Ellen was born on 11 August 1908 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. She was the fourth of five children to George and Florence.

On 25 June 1935 Ellen married Richard Teale Crabtree at St. Edmund’s Church, Roundhay, Leeds. A report of the marriage was published in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer the following day (image taken from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

LEEDS CEREMONY

Mr R T Crabtree and Miss E D Harrison

The marriage took place yesterday at St Edmund’s Church, Roundhay, Leeds, of Mr Richard Teale Crabtree and Miss Ellen Dorothea Harrison. The bridegroom, who is advertising manager of the “Yorkshire Evening News,” is the son of Mr and Mrs Robert W Crabtree, of Brookwood, North Park Avenue, Roundhay, and the bride is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs George H Harrison, of Rydal Bank, Roundhay. A brother-in-law of the bridegroom, the Rev K C Oliver, Vicar of St Cyprian’s, Birmingham, helped the Rev C Clare, Vicar of St Edmund’s, to conduct the service.
The bride wore a dress of white point lace in a leaf design outlined with silver thread. Half circles of net-edged lace overlapped on the hem of the train, which was cut in with the skirt, and a halo headdress of orange blossom held in place a net veil. Harrisii lilies were carried.
Four bridesmaids attended her, wearing azure-blue satin and long coats of frilled net. They were Miss Cynthia Harrison and Miss Ruth Crabtree (sisters of the bride and groom), Miss Mavis Brown and Miss Cynthia Harrison, of London, the bride’s niece. Their halo caps were of net to match their frocks and they carried bouquets of shell pink roses.
A reception was held at the Mansion, Roundhay.