Rushden Research Group: Harry Silburn Marries 1916

Harry Edward Silburn Marries

Corpl Silburn & Miss Schumers

From The Argus Newspaper

Rushden Echo June 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins (from an undated newsclip courtesy of Nicky Bates)

Rushden Soldier Brings Home a French Bride

A most interesting wedding was solemnised at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Rushden on Saturday, when the Rev. Father O'Sullivan united in matrimony Mademoiselle Valentine "Jean" Schumers, of Parenty, P.D.C., France, and Corpl Harry Edward Silburn (15th Hussars), son of Mr. R. E. Silburn of 158, Wellingborugh-road, Rushden.

The bride, who was given away by Mr. R. E. Silburn, wore a charming dress of cream-satin and tulle net, and carried a bouquet of lilies, white carnations and maidenhair fern. Miss Mamie J. Silburn and Miss Sadie Ione Silburn (sisters of the bridegroom) were the bridesmaids, and were prettily dressed in khaki satin, over-laid with silk ninon. They carried sprays of the same composition as the bride's bouquet. Mr. Leslie Merle Silburn performed the duties of best man. A reception was afterwards held at 158, Wellingborough-road.

There is quite a romance attaching to this wedding. Corpl. Silburn first went to the front in August 1914, and he was the only one of his squadron of Hussars to return after a glorious cavalry charge at the Battle of Mons. His horse was shot from under him, and he returned on foot to the British lines. In March of this year he fell ill with pneumonia, and was sent to a hospital at Boulonge, afterwards coming to the Red Cross Hospital at Northam, Susex. On Wednesday, June 14th, he came home on leave. It was near Boulonge, just before his illness that he met Mademoiselle Schumers. He was billeted on a farm near her parents' property, and came to meet her through the young lady acting as interpreter to his regiment. She speaks English fluently, having at one time been a teacher of the French language in an English convent. Mrs. Silburn will settle in Rushden, and hopes to resume her scholastic duties.

Note: Married 17th June 1916 at St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church Rushden

Rushden Echo, 23^rd June 1916, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Khaki Wedding At Rushden
Silburn – Shumers

A marriage which aroused considerable local interest took place at the Catholic Church, Rushden, on Saturday, when Corpl Harry Edward Silburn, of the 15^th Hussars, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Silburn, of 198 Wellingborough-road, Rushden, was united in matrimony to Mdlle. Valentine Jean Shumers, daughter of Monsieur Ernest Shumers, of Parenty, P.D.C., France.

It will be remembered, as already reported in the “Rushden Echo,” that Corpl. Silburn, who has just left hospital after an attack of pneumonia, met his bride in France just prior to his illness. He was billeted on a farm adjacent to her parent’s property, and came to meet her through her acting as interpreter to the regiment.

The ceremony on Saturday was conducted by the Rev. Father O’Sullivan. The bride, who was given away by Mr. R. E. Silburn (father of the bridegroom), was tastefully attired in cream satin and tulle net with white hat trimmed with an ostrich plume to match. She carried a handsome bouquet of white roses, carnations and maidenhair fern, the gift of the bridegroom, and wore a gold locket set with turquoise and pearls, also the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids were the Misses M. J. and S. I. Silburn (sisters of the bridegroom). The former was gowned in khaki satin, and the latter in khaki silk ninon. Both wore white leghorn hats. Pte. Leslie Merle Silburn, (brother of the bridegroom), discharged the duties of best man.

A reception followed the ceremony at the bridegroom’s home. Corpl. and Mrs. Silburn were the recipients of numerous and costly presents, including a handsome writing case in pigskin from the Commandant of the Northiam Red Cross Hospital, where the bridegroom was stationed during his convalescence, and a suede letter case from the Matron.

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