I was recently contacted by Melissa Atkinson about a photograph I had posted on the Outback Family History Facebook page of the wedding of her great aunt, Edna Howie. She told me that her gorgeous Nana was Beryl Howie, Edna’s sister, and she told me a wonderful story about how:
The Howie girls made matrimonial history in Kalgoorlie.
The Mirror Perth – 12 July 1952, page 1
SEVEN SISTERS LED TO THE SAME ALTAR
It is believed, that never before have 7 sisters married in one church (Kalgoorlie Wesley Church) in one town in the correct age sequence. Moreover, the wedding enabled each of the 7 sisters, now living in various parts of the State, to be reunited for the first time in 11 years.
John Storey, who married Christina Howie, comes from Tyneside, Northumberland, England, and the newlyweds will spend their honeymoon in that county, possibly staying there for 2 or 3 years. The wedding was a big affair and, apart from the bride’s sisters living on the Fields, other sisters made special trips to attend. They were Mrs C. Henson (Bunbury), Mrs. G. Davidson (Northam), and Mrs. A. Grime (Bassendean).
Wesley Church Kalgoorlie – Photo Sandy Duncan
Daughters of Peter Wilson HOWIE and Florence Myrtle nee PERRIS – The couple were to have eight daughters with one sadly dying in her first year, Myrtle Ruth, born and died Kalgoorlie 1913.
Cecil H Henson and Beryl L Howie’s wedding Kalgoorlie 1947 – Photo Melissa Atkinson (Beryl’s granddaughter)
The Howie girls in order of birth and marriage:
Florence Edna HOWIE born Coolgardie 1911 married Frank KIRKBY in 1935 – born Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England
Gwendoline May HOWIE born Kalgoorlie 1914 married Clifford ‘Ginger’ PRESTON 1938 born Winterton, Lincolnshire, England
Hazel Jean HOWIE born Kalgoorlie 1919 married John George DAVIDSON 1938
Joan Pearl HOWIE born Kalgoorlie 1921 married Anthony Osmond ‘Bill’ GRIME 1942 – born Pingelly, WA
Barbara Iris HOWIE born Kalgoorlie 1923 married John Lindsay PIPPIN 1946
Beryl Lorraine HOWIE born Kalgoorlie 1925 married Cecil Herbert HENSON 1947 – born London England
Shirley Christina HOWIE born Kalgoorlie 1927 married John Robert STOREY 1952 – born Tynemouth, Northumberland, England
This morning’s King’s Park Wishing Well snap of newlyweds Mr and Mrs John Robert Storey
The most excited young honeymooning bride (above) in Perth this morning is the youngest of 7 sisters who have all been married in the same church and all in descending order according to their age. But the reason for her excitement is her departure by the Strathaird on Monday which means her first sight of things beyond Kalgoorlie and Perth.
Florence Howie & Frank Kirkby. Photo Ancestry.com
Sunday Times 11 August 1935 – The KIRKBY – HOWIE Wedding.
Sunday Times 11 August 1935, page 8
Moya Sharp
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