"My fiancee and soul mate now asked me to come and get married in England. I was 25 years old! On an earlier occasion, with a ring I had purchased in Antwerp with my first month's wages, I had made a quick dash to England with an engagement ring - I was 25 years old!
For our wedding day in England, the hall was booked, the guests invited and the cake brought over from South Africa - things still being short in England!
At the time, Belgium being slow with permissions due to Napoleonic Laws we had to post a notice in the town hall in Ostend, Belgium. We also had to obtain special permission to get married.
In addition, we went to Church House, Borough of Westminster, London, England, where I swore on the bible and became an accepted Anglican.
My career in the Navy was over and I could now look forward to a shore life with all the responsibilities of a large family. I ended up with four lovely girls and a boy.............................
For our wedding day in England, the hall was booked, the guests invited and the cake brought over from South Africa - things still being short in England!
At the time, Belgium being slow with permissions due to Napoleonic Laws we had to post a notice in the town hall in Ostend, Belgium. We also had to obtain special permission to get married.
In addition, we went to Church House, Borough of Westminster, London, England, where I swore on the bible and became an accepted Anglican.
My career in the Navy was over and I could now look forward to a shore life with all the responsibilities of a large family. I ended up with four lovely girls and a boy.............................
