A strange romance of the war had a very happy fulfilment at Christ Church, Luton, on Saturday [October 21st, 1916] when a Belgian soldier was married to a Luton girl. The bridegroom was Monsieur Emile Ruster, a young first sgt-major in the 7th Belgian Field Artillery. His father before the war was Chief Constable of Brussels.

The bride was Miss Doris Maud Hawkins Pack, daughter of Mr Richard Pack, of 15 Cardigan Street, Luton, and formerly a worker with the Church Army in St Matthew's parish.

The romantic features of their courtship and marriage are certainly remarkable. Some time ago a number of English lads who had been billeted in Luton with Mr Pack, met M. Ruster at the Front and showed him Miss Pack's photograph. The young Belgian instantly had a desire to write to the young lady and did so.

The result was that photographs were exchanged, and the couple corresponded for two years. Four months ago M. Ruster came to Luton on six days leave and he was engaged to Miss Pack.

Last weekend he came again on leave, accompanied by his friend, Sgt Louie Spacy, of the same corps, who acted as best man. The wedding was fixed for Saturday and was a source of great interest, for Christ Church was crowded when the Rev N. C. Smith performed the ceremony. The smart khaki uniformed and red facings worn by the bridegroom and best man were an attractive feature. The bride, who was given away by her father, was in white.

After the ceremony a large number of friends were received at the Cardigan Street Primitive Methodist schoolroom, and speeches of congratulation were made. Telegrams of communication were received, including one from the bridegroom's captain in Belgium.

The bridegroom, who had been in Belgian army for eight years and had been in France since the outbreak of war, returned to the Front early on the morning of September 26th. The bride will remain with her parents.

After the war M Ruster intends to come to England to reside. He is a clever young fellow and speaks several languages.

[The Luton News: Thursday, October 26th, 1916]