Diary: Wernher son weds countess

Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: July 21st, 1917.

Wernher wedding

The marriage of Major Harold Wernher, of the 12th Lancers, second son of the late Sir Julius Wernher and Lady Wernher, of Luton Hoo, with Countess Zia de Torby, the daughter of Grand Duke Michael of Russia and Countess de Torby, was celebrated yesterday, first at the church of the Russian Embassy in Welbeck Street, Marylebone, the English ceremony following at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.

The ceremony at the chapel of the Russian Embassy was in conformity with the rites of the Orthodox Russian Church, the faith of which the bride professes. The Very Rev Eugene Smirnoff, priest of the Russian Embassy officiated. The office of the marriage in the Russian Church is divided into two parts, 'Betrothal' and 'Coronation'.

By permission of the King, and honoured by the presence of His Majesty and that of the Queen, Queen Alexandra, and other members of the Royal family, the marriage was subsequently solemnised according to the Anglican ritual in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.

A detachment of the 12th Royal Lancers, the bridegroom's regiment, was mounted outside the Chapel Royal.

  • Today is France's Day in Luton, and the town is giving ample demonstration of our cordial friendship with our friend and ally, a tribute to the brave army of France and their wounded. There were 30,000 paper medallions for sale at 1d each, 24,000 at 2d, 10,000 satin bannerettes at 3d, 4,000 metal medallions at 6d, bullet brooches at 1s 6d and 200 souvenir brooches and pendants. The little bullet brooches made by the gallant 'poilus' were sold before 10 o'clock, and postcards of scenes on the French road of war and picture books and dainty pin-cushions also found a ready sale.

  • At last night's meeting of the Luton Chamber of Commerce, Mr George Warren raised the question of factory hours. Many hat firms had set the example of commencing at 8am or 8.30am, having an hour for dinner, eliminating the tea hour, and closing at 6pm or 6.30pm instead of 8pm. They had found it very satisfactory; it was conducive to better health and would help in economy also. Mr Field, supporting the new hours, said his own experience was that more work was done and the girls earned more. The meeting was also told there seemed to be general agreement for the closure of warehouses in the straw hat and allied trades during Bank Holiday week.

  • Since its inception nine months ago, the Luton Waste Paper Scheme has distributed £200 to local deserving causes. It is a magnificent result from the collection of what was formerly largely waste, and it was a source of gratification when the committee held another happy social gathering on Thursday evening.

  • The value of seconds and fragments of seconds was vividly emphasised on Thursday evening to the company who assembled at the Highways Depot [Church Street] to witness the competition and display by men of the Luton Fire Brigade. Very interesting was the rescue from the 50ft tower and the hook ladder drill. Presenting the prizes, the Mayor (Alderman John Staddon) said he would like to congratulate the men on their smartness.

  • Rifleman Leonard Donne, son of Mr and Mrs Donne, of 274 Dunstable Road, Luton whom we reported as being wounded and a prisoner in Germany, has now died from wounds he sustained on April 23rd.

  • Frederick Sidney Clarke, aged 41, of 48 Clifton Road, Luton, fell dead outside the Luton Midland Railway Station last night. With his wife he had been on a visit to his parental home at 24 Hitchin Road, and the fatal seizure came as he was going under the railway bridge in Station Road.

  • The regimental sports of the No. 6 Reserve Brigade, R.F.A., were held this afternoon on the cricket ground, Wardown Park, and the pleasant weather brought huge crowds to witness an excellent athletic programme. The proceeds were in aid of the Wardown V.A.D. Hospital, the Bute Hospital and Prisoners of War Fund.