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Rushden Echo, 26th October 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
Vorley - Llewellyn
Rushden Wedding in Bermuda

Mr. Arthur B. Vorley – Across the Atlantic


Mr. Arthur B. Vorley, of the Cable Office staff, Bermuda, son of Mr. B. Vorley, of Rushden (president of the Northants County Band of Hope, Union, a School Manager for Rushden, and secrtary of the Rushden, Higham and Irthlingborough District Band of Hope Union), was married on September 19th, at Warwick Presbyterian Church, Bermuda. "The Bermuda Colonist and Daily News" of September 21st has the following account of the wedding:-

Christ’s Church, Warwick, was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Wednesday evening, when Mr. Arthur Benjamin Vorley, only son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Vorley of Rushden, Northants, England, and Gladys Hattie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Llewellyn, "Warblington", Paget West, were united in holy matrimony. The ceremony was set for 8 o’clock, and as many friends of the young couple were gathering in Church, Lance-Corpl. N. W. Parker, at the organ, rendered several beautiful musical selections. The Rev. Dr. Cameron, D.D., pastor of the Church, officiated at the ceremony. Shortly after the groom, accompanied by Mr. Fred W. Smith, of the Cable Office staff, acting as best man, had arrived, the church bell announced the advent of the bride, and the organist responded with the "Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin. The bride, who was leaning on the arm of her Father, entered the church by the North entrance, and presented a charming appearance indeed in a dress of pearl white silk crepe de chine and Georgette crepe, with pearl trimmings and carrying a bouquet of clematis and eucharist lilies. She was preceded by her sisters, Dorothea and Gwendolyn, as maid of honour and bridesmaid respectively, who were attired alike in dresses of white flaked coile and blue picture hats, and carried exquisite bouquets of coraleta and fern. The altar was surmounted with and arch of fern and coaleta, and the decoration generally set well in colour and contrast with the bridal party.

The dressing of the church was the work of the young ladies of the Flower Guild and it may here be mentioned that the bride is a member of the Choir of Christ’s Church.

The service was choral, and two hymns were rendered by the choir. "How welcome was the all" and "O Perfect Love". While the register was being signed, the organist played Mendelsohn’s "Wedding March" to the strains of which the newly pledged young couple left the church. The ushers were Messrs. H. S. Llewellyn (brother of the bride), H. S. Thomas (of the Halifax and Bermuda Cable Company staff), W. E. Brown, and Charles Johnes.

After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom received good wishes of their numerous friends at the residence of the bride’s parents, where were displayed the many valuable and useful presents received by them; amongst these being a handsome engraved silver tea service from the staff of the Halifax and Bermuda Cable Co., of which the bridegroom is a member, engraved gold cuff links, the gift of the bride to groom, and a beautiful gold brooch, presented by the groom to the bride. Dainty gold brooches worn by the bridesmaids were likewise the gifts of the groom.

Mr. and Mrs. Vorley will make their home at "Risdene", Pembroke, and they carry with them the best wishes of their many friends, for a most happy future and long life, in which expression the "Colonist and Daily News" most heartily joins. They are spending their honeymoon at Palmetto Grove, Harrington Sound.

The silver tea service presented by the Cable Company’s staff was on a choice silver tray, exquisitely engraved as follows: "To Arthur B. Vorley, from Bermuda Cable Staff".

[I wonder if the house "Risdene" still stands in Pembroke, Bermuda?]

Rushden Echo, 20th August 1926, transcribed by Kay Collins

Visitor’s Departure—Yesterday afternoon Mr Arthur Vorley, son of Mr and Mrs B Vorley, of Lyntonia, Queen-street, left Liverpool by the Pacific Steam Navigation Company’s steamer Orcoma for Bermuda. Readers will remember that Mr Vorley, jun., came home on holiday from Bermuda (where he is cable station manager) about three months ago, since when he has been on the Continent and renewed old acquaintances in England. Mr Vorley’s return route will be via Spain, Portugal, and the Azores. Readers will join with us in wishing “bon voyage.”


Arthur and Gladys had one son, Llewellyn, born in 1918. He married Betty in 1944 and, having spent the war years in America returned to Bermuda in 1946. They had three children, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Llewellyn was CEO of Bermuda Electric Light Co. - the island's sole electricity supplier - and he was awarded an OBE for his charity work. Llewellyn died in 2010 aged 91. Betty has no knowledge of a house called 'Risdene' but remembers that Arthur and Gladys lived in a small apartment in Victoria Street, Hamilton.

From a telephone conversation with Mrs. Betty Vorley (aged 89) by Roy Bray, resident of Bermuda.



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