Elveden Church During The 2nd World War.

When Mike Fulkerson wrote about his memories during the war he mentioned that he had taken wedding pictures of his friend, Robert Knock and his new bride who were married in our beautiful church of St. Andrew and St. Patrick. This set me wondering how many American servicemen and women had 'tied the knot' here during that time. Having recently discovered the vast wealth of valuable information available at the Record Office in Bury St. Edmunds, I went there to find out. After obtaining access to the relevant Marriage Register, which is not yet on microfiche, I found the answer:

Newspaper photograph of Wallace Best and Mary Elliott with the Revered G.M. Napier in Elveden Church.

Beginning on 7th October, 1943, with Wallace Reid Best and Mary Elizabeth Elliott, the first American couple to be married in the church at that time, and ending on 29th September 1945, with Wendell Lee Dietrich and Beatrice Barratt from Burnt Oak, Middlesex, there were altogether fifteen couples who were married in this lovely church. The Rector, the Revd G.M. Napier would have officiated at most of the services.

It would be wonderful to think that all of them had long and happy marriages, but especially in those uncertain times, there must have been more problems than usual to cope with and one can only guess at the poignant stories behind these wartime romances. For the British girls going to the States as G.I.brides it must have been a joyous but daunting adventure; leaving behind their families and friends and beginning a new life amongst strangers.

Here are the names:

If, by any chance, anyone who is listed here, or a relative, reads this and has memories or photographs of those times that they may wish to share with us, please do not hesitate to contact the 22villages website, we should love to hear from you.

The American Memorial window in the church is a constant reminder to everyone who sees it, especially those living in Elveden, of the members of the USAAF stationed in this country during the war and of the great debt of gratitude we all owe them.

The artist, Commander Hugh Easton, R.N., who designed the window describes it as follows:-

" I have tried to show the Guardian Angel of the American pilot or airman welcoming him to the gates of heaven, after the sacrifice of his life given to save democracy. I have let the wings of the Angel reflect the wings of the American Air Force, and yet the Angel is symbolic of the traditional seraphim.

Behind the pilot is a typical Suffolk airfield, such as was used by the American Air Force, together with it's complement of bombers, fighters and hangars. In the lower right hand corner is the crest and shield of the Third Air Division, whose Head Quarters were at Elveden Hall during the war."

The theme is taken from Isaiah, chapter 6, verses 1 - 7.

An Altar Prayer Book was presented to the Rector, the Revd G.M. Napier, in 1944 for use in the church, from the American Servicemen in gratitude for the privilege of using this church for their worship.

Gillian Turner 2000.