John Russell and Joan Champkin's wedding

John Russell and Joan Champkin's wedding

Wedding party in a garden including the bride and groom, three bridesmaids and two men in civilian suits.

1943-04

One colourised photograph

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PRussellJSS1502

My Father and Mother, Joan Champkin, on their wedding day, April 1943. Mum made her own wedding dress from parachute silk like a number of wartime brides. This dress served two brides as Mums best friend, Eunice married an American airman Don Upchurch Eunice borrowed mums dress. The silk folded up into the size of a match box, dad never said where it came from. Dad got a weekend pass and had to return to base next day.
My sister Joan was born on St Georges Day 1945, 3 months after dad got posted to the middle east and he didn’t get to see his daughter until 1945.