SOLDIER’S WEDDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 112, 10 April 1940, Page 8

SOLDIER’S WEDDING.

CEREMONY AT SHOWGROUNDS. UNIQUE OCCASION. A full battalion wedding ceremony was held on the parade ground at the Showgrounds, on Sunday, when a member of the Maori Battalion was married. The parties were Corporal Leslie Wipiti. eldest son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Wipiti, of New Plymouth, and Miss Esther Fox, third daughter of Mr C. Fox, of New Plymouth. This is the first such ceremony held in the present war. The bride, who was attended by Mrs N. Papakura, aunt of the bridegroom, and Mrs A. Hirawira, was given away by,Lieutenant W. IT. McKay, platoon commander. The bridegroom was attended by Private M. Bailey, of D Company, as best man, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. Captain A. Hirawira, the battalion’s padre. There was a large attendance of friends from Taranaki, and also Sir Apirana and Lady Ngata. On behalf of the officers of the battalion, Lieutenant G. To Kuril, platoon commander of D Company, presented the bride with a bouquet. Both the bride and bridegroom were - also the recipients of presents from D Company. The congratulations of the Battalion were extended by Lieutenant-Colonel G. Dittmer, officer commanding, and from I> Company by Captain C. J. Blomfield. The men later lined the way to the church in the Showgrounds for a service, and the bridal couple later left for a short holiday tour.