Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 24 February 1940

A young Bolton schoolmistress and her R.A.F. fiance were married at Bolton Parish Church on Monday. The couple were Miss Betty Tipton, youngest daughter of Mr. S. Tipton and the late Mrs. Tipton, of 34, The Crescent, Bolton, and Corporal George Smith, only son of Mr, and Mrs. S. Smith, 18, Norton Crescent, Baldock, Hertfordshire, and formerly of Mexborough.

The Rev. J. G. Whitehead, of Mirfield College, officiated at the choral ceremony at which the hymns “0 Perfect Love” and “Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost” were sung.

The bride was given away by her father and wore a gown of white taffeta in Victorian style trimmed with velvet with veil and wreath of orange blossom and posy of yellow tulips. The attendants were Mrs. Sylvia Mothersdale (sister of the bridegroom), and Miss Mary Hawksworth, who wore primrose taffeta trimmed with violets and head-dresses of primroses and violets. Two smaller attendants. Mollie Rands and Anthea Garbutt (nieces of the bride), wore primrose taffeta with net overdresses. All carried yellow tulips.

The best man was Mr. Jim Tipton (brother of bride), and the groomsman Mr. E. Rands. Mr. Ernest Garbutt was usher.

A reception was held at Furlong Road Methodist Church schoolroom and the couple departed for their honeymoon which is being spent “somewhere in England,” the bride wearing a three-piece suit of rust coloured tweed with hat, gloves and shoes to tone. The bride, who was educated at Wath Grammar School, was for six years on the staff of Goldthorpe Infants’ School, and was formerly a member of Mexborough Operatic Society. She was also a member of the “Woodleigh” Tennis Club.

Corporal Smith was educated at Mexborough Secondary School, and has been in the Royal Air Force for nine years. Among the many gifts was a cheque from the staff at Goldthorpe Infants’ School.

Miss Tipton had applied to the Dearne Education Sub-Committee to be allowed to continue on the staff of the school after her marriage, and the Committee supported this request. The County Authority, however, rejected the application, adhering to their principle of dispensing with married women teachers. When Miss Tipton learned of their decision she decided to go ahead with her wedding arrangements, and a letter to Corporal Smith’s station in France brought a telegram confirming Miss Tipton’s decision.