On Easter Monday, 28 March 1932, Muriel White, the daughter of Susan and the late Walter White, married Percival George Abbott at Hardington Church.[1] The wedding was a grand affair, with a full choral service, four bridesmaids, and a congregation that filled the church. The celebrations continued at the Royal Oak, courtesy of the bride’s brother, Allan White.

The four bridesmaids were Phyllis Mary White (the bride’s sister). Emmie Abbott (cousin of the bridegroom). Patricia Corbett (daughter of the bride’s sister, Evelyn) and Jean Lanham (daughter of the bride’s sister, Olive).

The bridegroom’s brother, Arthur, was the best man.

The couple received over one hundred presents, including a silver dinner cruet from the choir and the Rector (the Rev Satchell).

After the reception, the couple left for their new home at Piddletrendhide, where Percival ran a garage. They later lived at “Cerne View” in the same village.

They had three children: Margaret, Phyllis and David.

When they married, Percival lived with his parents and brother at Mandeville Terrace, next door to Miss Jearum. Muriel resided at Springfield, Hardington Moor, with her mother and two sisters, Alexandra and Phyllis. Muriel was the eighth out of the ten daughters to marry.

Of the remaining two sisters, Alexandra married Austen Whetham in 1933, and Phyllis married Basil Taylor in 1936.

I am grateful to Margaret Abbott’s daughter, Sonia Nitti, for the wedding photograph. Sonia added:

“Here they are, Perce and Mue, my grandparents, at Hardington church 90 years ago today. Perce had a bicycle repair shop at Mandeville Terrace in addition to working at Westlands. My parents still use the silver dinner cruet wedding gift which was passed down to my Mum Margaret.”

References

[1] Western Gazette, 1 April 1932, p.6.