Great Ellingham Methodist Chapel
Photograph taken February 2017
From the Downham Market Gazette Saturday 8th January 1916:
GREAT ELLINGHAM
WEDDING - The marriage of Mr Henry Frank Downes, son of Mr and Mrs R Downes, Decoy Farm, Besthorpe, and Miss Edith Ducker, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Ducker, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Ducker, Great Ellingham, took place at the Primitive Methodist Church on Christmas Day, the Rev. W.S. Barrett officiating.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a tailor-made slate grey costume, with spray of orange blossom, and navy silk hat trimmed with pink. She also carried a bouquet of white chrysanthemums and fern. She was attended, as bridesmaid by her sister, who wore a same blue costume and white felt hat with black and white mount. The duties of best man were carried out by Mr Wilfred Downes (brother of the bridegroom).
Miss Ethel Saunders played the “Wedding March”, and two hymns were sung. The happy couple left the church amidst a shower of confetti.
The presents were useful and choice, and included a case of carvers and silver rests from the managers, teachers, and children of the Great Ellingham Council School and a silver teapot from the members of the Great Ellingham Methodist Church
No Snow
According to a ‘google search‘, the weather in Norfolk over the Christmas period in 1916 was probably mild, with no snow on the ground to trouble either the wedding party or their guests.
Wedding Details
Although I do not have a photograph of the ‘happy couple’, the above newspaper report provides lots of information. We have a good description of the wedding attire, as well as details of the ceremony and some of the wedding gifts.
It was, of course, a time when the war in Europe is still in progress.
Local Girl
Henry Downes (perhaps he was known as Harry) was born in Besthorpe, barely four miles from Great Ellingham. On the other hand, Edith Ducker was born in Great Ellingham. Her maternal ancestral lines extend back in Great Ellingham, with connections to several ‘local families’ including Reeder, Carter and Warren.
Ducker Family
Church Street Cottages. The Ducker family lived in one of these cottages, which at the time, was divided into three dwellings
Photograph taken December 2023
Ducker’s Church Street Home & Shop
Edith Ducker was born on the 29th March 1886 to James and Sarah Ann Elizabeth Ducker (nèe Carter). She was probably born at the Ducker’s family home in Church Street, just a stone’s throw from the Methodist Chapel. Her father, Suffolk born James Ducker, had a grocer’s shop. Likely the shop adjoined the Ducker’s home.
Edith was one of 7 children – six girls and one boy. James and Sarah Ducker’s only son, James William, was born in 1878. Sadly, he died in 1914 at the age of 36, before Edith’s marriage to Henry Downes.
The 1891 census captures James and Sarah Ann Elizabeth Ducker (both aged 39) and their 7 children living in The Street, Great Ellingham. James Ducker is a grocer and coal merchant. The couple’s eldest daughter, 15 year old Alice Maria, is helping her father in the shop.
James and Sarah Ducker continued to live in Church Street until they died within weeks (if not days) of each other, in 1932.
Henry & Edith Downes
Following their marriage on Christmas Day 1916, Harry and Edith Downes may well have settled to married life at The Lodge in Besthorpe.
The 1921 census captures Henry Frank and Edith Downes living at The Lodge. Henry is working as a gardener at Besthorpe Hall for W.B. Colman.
By 1939, Henry and Edith had moved to The Grange, Fritton Farm, Hempnall. Henry is employed as a cowman.
Edith died in 1970 and Henry in 1973. I do not believe the couple had any children.
Sources:
8th January 1916. Downham Market Gazette viewed via The British Newspaper Archive
1891 census RG12/1549/69
1901 census RG13/1867/70
1911 census RG14/11473/129
1921 census RG15/9790, ED4 Sch 72, ED5, Sch 138
GRO Index also available via FreeBMD website
1939 England & Wales Register. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6540J. Ancestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD 609. Also available www.familysearch.org, www.ancestry.co.uk and various other genealogy websites