The Great War News from
Lancaster in 1914
24th December 1914
These pages include reports from the local press in Lancaster and
district from December 1914.
Wedding
Weddings have always considerable social interest, but when an officer
of his Majesty’s forces takes to himself a wife during war time, on the
even of an expected departure for the fighting zone, the interest is
increased manifold. The marriage at Christ Church, Lancaster, yesterday,
of Captain William Fawcett, of the 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal
Lancaster Regiment, second son of Mr and Mrs S Fawcett of Lowlands, Hest
Bank, and Miss Evelina Eltoft, fourth daughter of Mr Jason Edwin Eltoft,
MRCVS, of Selborne House, Lancaster, came within this category. The
bridge groom is a popular officer, and in May got his company, while his
bridge is connected with several well known local families and has a
wide circle of friends.
Owing to the war the wedding was a quiet one, and none but the relatives
of the families immediately concerned were invited. As the guests
arrived at the Church the organist, Mr R T Grosse, played appropriate
music, and the bride, leaning on the arm of her father, walked to the
chancel rails to the strains of the “Bridal March” from “Lohengrin.” She
looked charming in an elegant gown of ivory charmeuse, velied ninon and
trimmed Carrickma-Cross lace, with beautifully embroidered net veil worn
over a wreath of orange blossom and white heather, and full court train.
She carried a sheaf of lilies. There were two bridesmaids – Miss
Fawcett, sister of the bridge groom, who wore apricot satin grenadine,
trimmed real lace and touches of black, with a black velvet picture hat
trimmed ermine; and Miss Barbara Jackson, niece of the bride, who wore a
cream satin Empress dress and lace bonnet. Miss Fawcett carried a sheaf
and the bridesmaid a basket of berried holly, tied with streamers of
royal blue and gold, the colours of the King’s Own Regiment. The brides
groom’s present to Miss Fawcett was an ermine tie, and to Miss Jackson a
gold pendant and chain. Private Fred Eltoft of the 5th Battalion, King’s
Own Regiment, performed the duties appertaining to the office of best
man, and like the bridge groom and the bride’s brother, Private Joseph
Eltoft, of the RAMC, was in khaki. The service was of the simplest
character, and at the close the organist played Mendelssohn’s “Wedding
March.” Subsequently, luncheon was served at Selborne House, the tables
being decorated with holly. Captain and Mrs W Fawcett left by the 3.40
p.m. train for London, where a brief honeymoon will be spent. Captain
Fawcett is due to rejoin his regiment tomorrow. The bride’s going away
dress was a brown covert coating tailor made costume, with blue hat
trimmed brown. A large number of presents included a dinner service and
plant vase from the employees of the Rembrandt Intaglio Printing Company
and a silver inkstand from the re-touchers at the same works.
5th Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment
It does not seem likely that many of the 5th Battalion of the Royal
Lancaster Regiment at Sevenoaks will obtain leave at Christmas, but it
is expected they will get leave in sections early in the new year. The
almost continuous rain has interfered very much with drill, but the men
do not consider that an unmixed blessing – they would rather be at work.
There is a rumour that the battalion is intended for Egypt, and not for
France. A number of the men received mufflers this week from Dallas Road
School, along with a letter from the headmaster, Mr Hird.
Many of the reserve battalion (now at Blackpool) have had leave and all
the married men expect to be home for Christmas. The town has been quite
a military aspect during the last few days, owing to the presence of
members of the local battalion, and of Scottish battalions, as well as
members of other regiments.
Scotforth Working Party
The Scotforth ladies’ working party, which may be considered as an
offshoot from the Mayoress’ working party, has sent to the army 542
garments and to the Belgians 299 garments, making a grand total of 841
articles sent. Towards the cost of these £53 9s 1 ½ d has been
subscribed in cash, and many ladies have provided their own materials;
£43 8s 6d has been spent, and there is £10 0s 7 ½d in hand for resuming
after Christmas. In addition to the above, the Scotforth GFS members
have made and sent 44 woollies to the army.
Only a proportion of our collections
are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display
in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of
our collections which are held in store.
