WEEK 42

Saint Mary’s Church

Frances Rowbottom is my great aunt and daughter of Fred Rowbottom and Frances Emily Brough.

Frances was born in 1909 in Parkgate, Rotherham and died at the age of 95 in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. As was customary at the time, Frances was sent away to work when she was a young lady, which is how she met her future husband, Willie Smith, in Halifax. Frances and Willie issued two children. Willie died in his mid 40s from a heart attack whilst at work. I only ever met Frances once, at my grandfather’s funeral, and I remember her being a really lovely genteel lady.

Below is a newspaper article published a few days after Frances and Willie married.

Rowbottom – Smith Wedding

THE ADVERTISER, SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1934.

SMITH – ROWBOTTOM.

In the Parish Church, Greasbro’ on Monday, Cannon S. T. G. Smith, of Sheffield, officiated at the wedding of Miss Frances E. Rowbottom, fourth daughter of Mrs. F. E. Rowbottom and the late Mr. F. Rowbottom, of 11, Oxford Row, Greasbro’, and Mr. W. Smith, third son of Mrs. H. Smith and the late Mr. J. Smith, of 10, Trafalgar Row, King Cross, Halifax.

Willie & Frances

The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. F. Rowbottom, was attended by four bridesmaids and two pages. Her gown was of white satin and lace and she wore a veil and coronet of orange blossom and a gold necklet and gold brooch.

The two senior maids, Misses C. Lister, of Sheffield, and A. Rowbottom, of Parkgate (cousins of the bride), wore blue dresses and hats. The junior maids, Miss D. White, of Parkgate (niece of the bride), and Miss M. Smith, of Halifax (niece of the bridegroom) wore pale blue silk dresses and coronets of flowers, and the pages were in white satin suits.

The organist was the bridegroom’s brother, Mr. A. Smith, and Mr. J. B. Smith (another brother) was the best man. The groomsman was Mr. H. Rowbottom (brother of the bride).

Frances, Lily & Ethel Rowbottom

A reception was held in the Welfare Hall, Greasbro’, where 50 guests were received by Mrs. F. E. Rowbottom, who wore a navy blue dress of marocain and lace with a grey hat trimmed with navy blue. The bridegroom’s mother wore a georgette dress of navy blue with hat to tone. Music was supplied by Messrs. J. B. and A. Smith and H. Rowbottom.

SMITH – ROWBOTTOM. – At the Greasbro’ Parish Church on Monday by Canon S. T. G. Smith (Vicar of Attercliffe), Willie Smith, of Halifax, to Frances Emily Rowbottom, of Greasbro’.