Wed by Sign Language

Two young people met at the Brighton Deaf School just before the war and later, when they left school, they became members of the Portsmouth Deaf Club. On Saturday at St. John’s Parish Church, Ryde, the two young people – Mr. Arthur Valentine Fleming, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Fleming, of 60 Vernon Road, Portsmouth, and Miss Eileen Joan Waters, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Waters, of the Bay Cottage, Marlborough Road, Ryde – were married.

The service was conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. E. T. H. Royds) assisted by the Rev.R. G. Young (chaplain- missioner of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Deaf and Dumb Association). Among the congregation were many friends, and members of St. John’s Church, of which the bride is a member, and friends from the Deaf and Dumb Club at Portsmouth.

Given away by her father, the bride wore a figured satin wedding dress with a small train, tulle veil and feathered head-dress to match. She carried a bouquet of pink and white roses.

A reception held at St. John’s Parish Hall was attended by 36 guests. Among the numerous presents was a cheque from employees of the Saro Laminated Wood Products at Whippingham, where the bride worked prior to her marriage.

Source: Isle of Wight Times 16 Sept 1948
Image source: Sign language from Wikipedia