St. Mark's Church, 1938

St. Peter's Church

Christ Church, Summerfield, 1951

St. John's Church, 1955

Louie, Lillian and Maud and Bert Busby

1916

Photograph courtesy of Ted Brookfield

I will not be in Birmingham for some time, since I retired my wife and I moved to Norfolk.

I hope I have got this right, in the back row from left to right are - Evline Francom, wife of next person Harry Francom, my mother Alice Gibbons, Robert (Joe) Bowdler.

Next row - Mother of Ivy?, Violet Bowdler, Tom Bowdler, Nellie Bowdler, Winnie Francom, Ivy Bowdler, Mr Francom

The two ladies sitting are on the left Mrs Bowdler and on the right Mrs Francom.

Robert was married to Ivy and it was at their wedding that Tom met my Aunty Nellie. My mother was the oldest of 5 sisters, and uncle Harry was the oldest of her 3 brothers. Mrs Francom was the daughter of a farmer, the Seal family and they lived on a farm in Shaftmoor Lane, Hall Green.

Mr Francom was a farm worker. The farm was sold to make room for houses and the Lucas factory, but the farmhouse was still standing a few years ago, but it was a timber yard. On the sale of the farm my grandparents moved to Spring Road, Hall Green and my Grandfather worked for the railway at Spring Road Station. Violet Bowdler married Norman Hatwood (may not be correct spelling) he may have been from the Ladywood area, but I do know that. He spent most of his working life at the Birmingham Mint in Icknield Street. They had two children David and Irene. Robert Bowdler lived in Shireland Road near its junction with Cape Hill, they also had two children Robert and Irene. My uncle Tom always called his brother Joe, I think this may have been his second name.

I was told by my uncle they came from Leominster and that in search of a better life they plied their wordly goods on a hand cart and walked to Birmingham, sleeping rough. They were living in Clements Street at the time of the wedding. My uncle and his brother both worked for Birmingham City Transport, driving buses but sadly Robert died in his 50’s, but uncle Tom became an inspector and remained until he retired.

Hope you find this of interest, Harry Gibbons

Christchurch, Summerfield

August 1935

Couple to the left of the groom are Lucy's brother William and his future wife Hilda Shuttleworth

The old gentleman is Lucy's father, William, just behind is her brother Ron. Then comes mom Fanny Cleveley.

Next to her is Ron's wife Maud. Next to the Bride is the bridesmaid Agnes Keen bride's sister

1st September, 1951

St. John's Church

15th April, 1933

St. John's Church

Gerald Austin Marshall on right of groom; Mary Elizabeth Milligan, formerly Sorrell, nee Marshall next to him;

Alice Eileen Milligan seated in between them both.

Brides relatives on her left, Raybone's and Lowe's

This is a photograph my Mom and Dad’s wedding, with myself and my Mom, Joan Evans, nee Small, all born in Daisy Road.

Would it be possible for you to put a note next to the photo of my parents wedding, William Drew & Winifred Danton, on your website under Weddings.

I would very much like to get the original of this photo as I don't have many of my parents wedding. Would any one know who handed in this photo?

This photo was handed to Mac at a Local History Fair, can anyone help?

This photo is of my father William Drew and mother Winifred Danton taken in 1934 at St Johns Church. They lived at 4/42 Beech Street.

Her sister Doris is the bridesmaid on the right.

My mother died in 2003 age 91.

Christine Robertson nee Drew

18th March, 1961

St. Paul's Church, St. Paul's Square

Lydia Comley, Ted and Maureen Rudge, Annie Wallis

Bridesmaids - Betty Lyttleton, Denise and Janet Richards,

Wendy Jenkins, Angela Richards

These were taken at my wedding reception in September 1963, which was held in St Barnabas School Hall, Ryland Street 

This is a photo of my cousin Doreen Hawkins wedding in1956. She married Eddie Wheeler at St. Johns. Three of the bridesmaids were sisters of Doreen.

Front left was Joyce, behind her Gwyneth. Further along on the left, sister Sylvia. I am young bridesmaid in front on right. Behind me are Rose and Walter Hawkins, Doreen’s parents. Far right dressed in black is my Gran, Alice Edgington. The Hawkins lived in Gt. Tindal Street.

Best Wishes

Margaret Dickinson (Edgington)

Mr & Mrs Hobbs - August 1955

I think Mrs. Hobbs was a teacher at one of the Ladywood schools

St Marks Church, Birmingham.  24^th March 1945

Standing rear row: (left to right) - Irene Shakespeare (Dad’s Sister), Lilly Shakespeare (Dad’s Mother) Albert Edward Griffin (Best man and witness), Edward Dennis Shakespeare (Dad), Lilly Florence Larvin (Mom), John (Jack) Edward Larvin (Mom’s Father), Rosina Gladys Shakespeare (Dad’s Sister), Lilly Eliza Larvin (Mom’s Mother)

Seated (left to right) - Vera Copson (Mom’s Cousin), Patricia Shakespeare (Dad’s Sister)

18th March 1967 at St. John's Church

Groom Albert Moulsdale and Bride Monica Richardson

Brides parents - Annie and Thomas Wallis

Bridesmaid - Doris (Dolly) Wallis

Best man - Gordon Harker

Wallis family lived at 1/54 Garbett Street

Left to right - Kathy Taylor, Dolly Greensall, Beatrice Holland, Groom and Bride, Margie Whitney, Kitty Taylor

Back row - Tommy Whitney, Walter Holland

Front row - Maureen and Stanley Greensall

Groom and parents lived at 3/44 Shakespeare Road

Bride came from Great Yarmouth

Douglas Husselbury and Edna Husselbury re Lediard

Left back row - Mr Read Snr, Edna Lediard, Len Lediard, Groom Charles Read, Bride Lily Lediard, Mr Lediard Snr, Elsie Lediard,

Bill Shelly.  Sitting down on right Alice Lediard,  Left hand chair Mrs Read snr.  

Groom Ken Stokes, Bride Jean Stokes, small bridesmaid Linda Strawford

Here is a photo of all my brothers and sisters, taken at my sister Barbara’s wedding, the reception was held at the St. Georges Institute, Waterworks Road.

The year would be about 1956 and the names are left to right in order of eldest first, Joyce, Tom, Barbara, Frank, Victor, Veronica, Pauline, Me and Colin

The wedding took place somewhere in Ladywood, reception possibly Great Tindal Street.

Thomas Hicks my father was 17 years old.

In 1924, the groom, George Richmond of the Australian Army sponsored the Hicks family into Australia with the exception of my father, who remained here to marry my mom Kath (who's wedding is shown on the Ladywood web site)

James and Edith Annie were my grand Parents, the rest were my Dad’s Siblings.

Alan  Hicks

The bride is Beattie Griffin, with her groom Abe (we're not sure of his surname)

Next to Beattie stands her mother Annie

On the far right of the picture is her father Thomas Griffin

10th September 1949

St. John's Church

Pat Read and Eric Drew, 11th March 1961 at St Johns Church, Ladywood with Reverend Norman Power

The wedding took place at St. Johns Church on Monument Road, Ladywood.

3rd January, early 60s

I can solve the mystery of the final family group wedding photograph on the Weddings section of your website.  I am the daughter of the bride and groom, and my cousin Alan Hicks told me it was on the website.

The groom is Arthur Howard Spencer [known as Howard] from the corner of Gt. Tindal Street and St Mary's Street.

The bride is Frances Agnes Bailey [known as Agnes] of Icknield Port Road  - opposite the Crown cinema.

They both worked at Thomas Saunders in St. Mary's Street.

By coincidence the groom is the brother of Mildred Kathleen Spencer [Kath], and brother-in-law of William Hicks who are the couple in your first photograph.

They were married at St John's Church and the photograph was taken 'up the yard' behind the groom's family home.

The lady third from the left in the photograph is Mildred Kathleen Hicks [known as Kath], and the little girl sat on the pouffe is in fact Beryl Hicks, daughter of Kath and Bill, and now wife of Ken Strangward.    The remainder of the guests are family of the bride and groom.

Sadly my parents are now deceased but lived to the grand ages of 88 and 83.  The only surviving family from this photograph is Beryl, Brian Miles the curly headed lad sat on the floor next to her, and the child in the arms of the lady on the back row who is Tony Gillman now in Tasmania.

Hope the above information will be of interest.  Thank you for publishing the photograph.

24th March 1956

Married at the Oratory Church on Hagley Road, we held our reception at St. Margaret's Church Hall on the corner of Alston Street and Ledsam Street.

I had 5 bridesmaids, my sisters Sheila and Jackie,  and Averil Wilmer, (a daughter of family friends & friends) a friend from work Patsy Mann, and Carol Evens, who was the grooms niece.

I made mine and the bridesmaids dresses.

For the reception my mother ordered all the cooked meats from Stoddard's in Ledsam Street.  She paid so much every week till the week before the big day.

My sisters helped to prepare the food up to late on the Friday evening, I borrowed all the crockery and glasses from W. H. Rhodes on Broad Street as I was working there at the time.

My mom and dad (Con & Mary Curley) held their silver wedding

at the same time. They were married on the 29th March 1931.

Eileen Bode

March 1953

St. Margaret's Church

Front row from the left - Val Price, Shirley Price, Robert Price,  Margaret  Hinks (Bridesmaid),

Middle row - Mr. and Mrs. Hinks, Billy Hinks (Groom) and Joan Price (Bride), ????, Jean Price, May Price (Bride's mother with the hat on), John Price, Beryl Price

Behind May Price is Raymond Price holding Barry Price, next to him on the left is George Price (Bride's Dad).

Back row far left - George Price Jnr., next to him is Tommy Hinks (Groom's brother),

Both the families were from Ladywood, the Price a family from Grosvenor Street West and the Hinks from around the Ledsam Street area.

This is my mom and dad, a photo for the new section on your site.

Doris Wilkes, born Emily Place, Osler Street

''Dick'' Tranter, born Tree Place, Osler Street

They both lived there until their marriage, 6th June 1942, St Johns Church, Monument Road.

After their marriage they lived in Springfield Street where my brother Ken and I were born.

Dad was christened Arthur Richard Tranter, but was only ever known as ''Dick'', his best mate was your old friend Albert Hunt

Keith Tranter.

The wedding of William (Bill) Leaver and Dorothy Compton which took place at St. Barnabas' Church.

Left to right - Albert Joseph, ???,  ???,   ???,  Bill Leaver and Dorothy Leaver, George Compton, Grace Jones, Fred Jones, Floss Elliman (nee Compton)

Front row - ???,  ???, Freda Joseph nee Compton, Edith Compton, Sheila Elliman

9th February 1947

The wedding of Albert Joseph and Freda Compton, which took place at St. Barnabas' Church.

Left to right - Fred Jones, David Jones,  Evan Joseph (twin brother), Gwen Jones,  Albert Joseph and Freda Joseph, George Compton, Grace Jones, Bill Leaver, Floss Elliman

This photo is of my father William Drew and mother Winifred Danton taken in 1934 at St Johns Church. They lived at 4/42 Beech Street.

Her sister Doris is the bridesmaid on the right.

My mother died in 2003 age 91.

Christine Robertson nee Drew