Who is Bill??? - Army wedding, University Church Dublin, May/June 1944

[elmer64]

Hello All,

Can anyone help verify the identity of this couple?

The wonderful people at the Irish military archives have given some very helpful pointers, but there is nothing conclusive. Too many officer Bills during 'the emergency'!

There are strong indications that the groom came from Northern Ireland, and the bride from Dublin.

Bill may be short for William, a nickname, or a middle name.

We know most of the others in the photograph; all those are now deceased so there's no-one left to ask. Just in case, please do not name the couple, just indicate that you know who they were.

Thanks for any help...

[aghadowey]

Do you know the identity of the bride? You could try contacting the church for assistance even if you aren't sure of her name and they might be able to match the groom's occupation to a marriage which took place there in the time frame you mention.

For reference-
https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/50920169/university-church-st-stephens-green-dublin-2-dublin

[heywood]

Welcome to Rootschat 

There is a description of a marriage in the Dublin Mail, June 1944 - a double wedding with a guard of honour. It can also be identified on https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/

Unfortunately,  the names on your picture do not match those quoted for the guard of honour.

However, you might try searching May marriages and newspapers to see if you can find it.

[josey]

Here's the entrance to St Stephen's [University] Church in Dublin

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.336957,-6.2602978,3a,75y,243.66h,90.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRE9mXt2s7XG3HIki_sgMdA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

ADDED; Sorry aghadowey, your link showed the doorway.

My grandparents married there in 1905.

[tonepad]

Unfortunately,  the names on your picture do not match those quoted fir the guard of honour.

The note on the side of the photo appears to read "The Burying of Bill. May'44". Perhaps the wrong note has been attached to the photo.


Tony

[heywood]

I too wondered about that note - glad you brought it up. 
I read it as ‘burning’ and thought it might have a personal meaning.

[Jool]

I think this is the same couple, reported in the Dublin Evening Mail 10 June 1944.

I have removed the text from the newspaper as I have just noticed the OP asked not to name them, but I can confirm the groom was William.  I will PM names to Elmer64 and anyone else interested.

[heywood]

Great find, Jool 

[gaffy]

Excellent result.