YesBut wear your hat with pride - Part 1

For YesBut’s Image posted on the 17th June 2007, Chewy suggested the caption

“Smile and look at the birdie!”

The photograph suggested the following story to me

Emily was considered, by all who knew her, to be a young vivacious beauty - but there again, if they hadn‘t known her they wouldn‘t have been able to pass an opinion - except for Mrs YesBut who has an opinion on everything. She met William at the Fox Hunt Ball held at the Manor House. He was the Squire’s eldest son and would one day inherit the family estate and following family tradition become a Member of Parliament and then a member of the Government. As they gazed at each other across the dance floor for the first time they both instantly knew they were in love.

William asked his friend Hubert who was that young lady. Hubert asked the vicar who informed him that Emily was visiting from London and was staying with her aunt Elizabeth, the widow of the village doctor. After more snooping he discovered her father, the youngest son of the Duke of Aberbridge had been killed in South Africa in the Bore War. Her mother had remarried a Bishop and now lived in the North of England. Emily was living for the Season in London with her father’s brother. The highlight of the Season being introduced at Court to the Royal Family.

William made his way towards Emily; she watched his approach from behind her fan. He bowed and asked if she would do him the honour of dancing with him. Even though she knew no one had asked her to dance, she consulted her dance card, and after an appropriate delay agreed to dance. That night they danced and danced and sipped Champaign. He asked if he could call to see her the next afternoon. She said she would have to ask her Aunt. Her Aunt readily agreed as she knew William was “a good catch”. Emily sent a note with her Aunt’s gardener’s son to the manor house, informing him he could call.

That summer seemed so perfect, the sun seemed to shine everyday. By the time she returned to London for the rest of the Season, they both knew they had found their lifelong partners. But the World was soon to change, 1913 was the end of an era, the dark clouds of war were already accumulating. Emily and William were due to marry in the Spring of 1914 but his younger brother, Roger, was serving in the army in India, and William wanted to wait for his home leave in November so that Roger could be his Best man. That decision was to have tragic consequences. On the 4th August 1914 war was declared against Germany. William immediately joined the army and given his father’s influence was made a Captain in the Eastshire Light Yeomanry. A number of young men from the village joined his unit and they were shipped to France and the front line.

To be continued tomorrow - Bookmark this page