According to the parish records this was the first wedding at the church involving the son or daughter of a serving vicar and the villagers turned out in force to participate in the joyous event and to support the happy couple on their big day.
According to the East Kent Gazette of July 25th 1908 an extraordinary outburst of affection by parishioners towards the bride and groom and to Reverend Trew and his family became a noticeable feature of the event. This showed the popularity of the family who had got to know many Upchurch residents and were viewed with great respect.
In the days leading up to the wedding resident George Cremer organised the positioning of the village decorations. Multi coloured Venetian masts with strings of paper roses on top and bearing decorated shields and the initials of the bride and groom were erected on each side of the road with lines of fluttering pennants leading from the vicarage to the church. The ‘Village Ladies Working Party’ had carefully made the decorations.
A big triumphal arch spanned the vicarage entrance in Oak Lane and the inside of this bore the words ‘Good Luck,’ while the area from the churchyard gate to the church porch was covered with a light cover of apple green and white muslin. A display of white flowers decorated the church altar flanked by palms and ferns. Exotic plants and pots of lilies were arranged around the base of the palms to add extra style.
The bride wore a unique frock of Irish crochet lace over cream satin while her bodice was of folded satin with yoke and sleeves of hand tucked chiffon with laced motifs. The full court train was also of cream satin lined with silk and chiffon worn from the shoulder. On her head the bride wore a wreath of orange blossom and shamrock with a veil of Limerick lace which had been especially made for her by her mother who had worn it at her own wedding. She also carried a bouquet of lilies.
The bridegroom, dressed in full military uniform, an officer in the Royal Engineers named William Henry Roberts, was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Frances Roberts of the Royal Artillery. Bridesmaids included Miss Ousby Trew, younger sister of the bride, Leonie Brotherton, daughter of Colonel Brotherton and Penelope and Dolly Roberts, sisters of the groom. Train bearers included Rachel Webster, daughter of Doctor Irby Webster from Rainham and Donald Macneece, son of Colonel Macneece of the RAMC. Mr Hamilton Roberts from the Royal Garrison Artillery was ‘Best Man.’ Groomsmen included Mr C Palmer, Mr H Powell and Mr H Pollock of the Royal Engineers who like the groom were all dressed in full military uniform.
In an atmosphere of excitement and expectation amongst the villagers lining the street on a glorious summer day, the bride entered the church with her father and they were escorted by churchwardens James Holloway from Ham Green and Bill Hyland from Wetham Green carrying their wands of office.
In a fully choral service accompanied by choirmaster and organist Mr Maltravers, the service began with those present singing the opening hymn ‘O perfect love, all human thought transcending.’
Reverend R D Swallow, headmaster of Chigwell School and Canon of St Albans conducted the marriage ceremony while Reverend Leicester Selby the Rector of Great Durnford and Reverend H Creso the Rural Dean assisted him. The bride was given away by her father then after the bride and groom had signed the register they left the church to the accompaniment of Mendelsohn’s ‘Wedding March.’
The bride and groom were followed out of the church by eighteen little village girls dressed in white with chaplets of white lilies, white roses and white sweet peas on their heads. In the churchyard the girls lined the pathway and threw rose leaves on the ground which they carried in little baskets. The bride and groom passed through here and then returned to the vicarage to the lively sound of the church bells while villagers who lined the route in big numbers congratulated and loudly cheered them on their way.
A big reception held on the rectory grounds included a refreshment buffet with the wedding cake on a table. The guests were given shamrock then the bride and groom took a position at one end of the lawn as villagers filed past in large numbers to congratulate and shake hands with them. After this the bridal party was photographed on the lawn while the Band of the Royal Engineers played music and guests crowded around the buffet area to eat.
At 4-30 pm the bride and groom left the vicarage by horse and carriage for Rainham railway station for the fast train to London from where they caught another train to begin their honeymoon in the Cornish resort of Penzance.
After the bridal party’s departure a large number of Upchurch residents assembled on the rectory grounds and were entertained by Reverend Trew and his wife. All were invited to view the vast array of wedding gifts then given a glass of champagne to join Holywell headmaster Mr Maltravers in a toast to the health of the bride and groom then to Reverend Trew and his wife. Next, Reverend Trew thanked everyone for attending and for making the occasion successful. He said that he felt proud that Upchurch villagers had shown such great affection towards him and his family. The festivities then ended with the National Anthem played by the Band of the Royal Engineers. The following Friday Reverend Trew and his wife entertained Upchurch children to tea in the rectory meadow followed by sports and games to commemorate the historic marriage of their daughter which had proven to be such a big and memorable event.
A big reception held on the rectory grounds included a refreshment buffet with the wedding cake on a table. The guests were given shamrock then the bride and groom took a position at one end of the lawn as villagers filed past in large numbers to congratulate and shake hands with them. After this the bridal party was photographed on the lawn while the Band of the Royal Engineers played music and guests crowded around the buffet area to eat.
At 4-30 pm the bride and groom left the vicarage by horse and carriage for Rainham railway station for the fast train to London from where they caught another train to begin their honeymoon in the Cornish resort of Penzance.
After the bridal party’s departure a large number of Upchurch residents assembled on the rectory grounds and were entertained by Reverend Trew and his wife. All were invited to view the vast array of wedding gifts then given a glass of champagne to join Holywell headmaster Mr Maltravers in a toast to the health of the bride and groom then to Reverend Trew and his wife. Next, Reverend Trew thanked everyone for attending and for making the occasion successful. He said that he felt proud that Upchurch villagers had shown such great affection towards him and his family. The festivities then ended with the National Anthem played by the Band of the Royal Engineers. The following Friday Reverend Trew and his wife entertained Upchurch children to tea in the rectory meadow followed by sports and games to commemorate the historic marriage of their daughter which had proven to be such a big and memorable event.
About David
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood
