Individual Details

Marriage

 

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Military Wedding
.  Wednesday last, 24 Apr, was a day of note out Canberra way. It was the date fixed for the nuptuals of Captain Richard Launcelot Waller, of the Royal Military College of Australia, Duntroon, son of the late Mr William Noel Waller, RA , England, with Clara Cicely Crace, third daughter of the late Mr E. K. Crace and Mrs. Crace, of Gungahleen, one of the stately homesteads embraced in the Federal Capital Territory of Canberra. The scene of the interesting function was the old historic church of St John Baptist, Canberra, whose associations, extending over a period of more than sixty years past, are fraught with memories pleasant and painful. It was a military wedding, and it goes without saying that it was chic and fashionable. It attracted, outside the bridal party, large numbers to the church, the seating accommodation being taxed to its fullest extent.
 
The bridal party drove from Gungahleen in motor cars, and arriving at the church, amidst the peals of the Wedding March played by the organist, Mrs Murray, from the organ, passed through a line of eighty cadets ranked on either side of the carpeted pathway leading to the entrance to the sacred edifice, which was simply, yet tastefully decorated with beautiful flowers, the combined efforts of Miss Champion (the rector's daughter), Miss Sylvia Grace, and some half-dozen of the College cadets. The officiating clergyman was the Rev A. H. Champion, rector of Canberra.
 
The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her brother, Mr E. G. Crace, of The Cottage, Gininderra, wore a very handsome white satin gown, with overdress of ninon over lace tunic, with silver trimmings, and a fashionable square train, with the customary wreath and veil. She carried a bouquet of cloth of gold roses, lilies of the valley and maiden-hair ferns. The best man was Captain James, who was supported by Dr P. Lalor and Captain H. K. Macartney, all of the Royal Military College, and they and the bridegroom wore the uniforms of their regiments. The Misses Dorothy and Sylvia Crace were in attendance as bridesmaids, and wore dresses of cream net with pale blue satin sashes, the skirts being draped and caught at the side with pale blue rosettes, and both wore large black satin hats with large pale blue plumes reaching from side to side. They carried bouquets of yellow cactus dahlias, autumn leaves, and maiden-hair ferns, and wore handsome aquamarine pendants, the gifts of the bridegroom. Little Miss Barbara Circuitt acted as trainbearer and wore a white satin dress, white satin cap and pale blue shoes. The ceremony was impressively conducted, and at its close, and while the contracting parties and their friends proceeded to the vestry to sign the usual register, the organ again pealed forth the Wedding March.
 
On leaving the church the cadets again lined up and stood at salute while the wedding party passed through to the cars in waiting, amidst three hearty cheers for Captain and Mrs Waller. Mrs Crace, mother of the bride, wore a handsome gown of black Duchesse satin, black toque with silk touches of mauve velvet, and carried a bouquet of pink carnations, autumn leaves and ferns. The party drove to the beautiful residence of the bride's mother, Gungahleen homestead, where a reception was held and the wedding breakfast partaken of. Here the guests were received by Mrs E. K. Crace, the bride's mother and her brother, Mr E. G. Crace; and here, too, the happy couple received the warm congratulations of their friends, the officers from the Military College, and others. The picturesque homestead of Gungahleen was indeed the scene of a happy, gathering. At the end of the large room facing the lawn stood the newly-wedded pair, and immediately in front of a large wedding cake. This piece of confection was truly a triumph of confectioner's art and was deservedly the theme of general admiration. It was a three decker, made to order. by the Civil Service Cooperative Stores Company. The topmost deck was embellished with the letters RE and military badge ‘Ubique' (meaning everywhere). The second deck was decorated between the emblematic pillars supporting it with cannon, horses, and crossed pick and shovel, emblematic of the corps to which the bridegroom is attached. The bottom deck or base represented a river flowing through valleys bordered with lofty mountains, its course, spanned by a miniature bridge, similar in design to those usually constructed by the Royal Engineers, this model having been designed by Captain Waller himself. The cake was cut by the bride with her husband's sword.
 
At the close of the reception’s formalities the bride and bridegroom, after a photo had been taken of the wedding group, proceeded by motor-car for Tuggeranong and thence to Sydney. The usual lucky boot and silver slipper was tied at the back of the car. They carried with them the fervent good wishes of all for their future happiness. The bride's going-away dress was a navy serge coat and skirt with black furs. The wedding presents, both numerous and magnificent and costly, were displayed in the drawing-room at Gun gahleen, and were much admired by all who saw them. Prominent among them was a handsome silver tray bearing the following inscription :- ‘To Captain R. L. Waller, R E, 24th April, from staff R.M.C.’ Another costly gift was a case of cutlery from the corps, staff and cadets.
 
Among the guests were: Col and Mrs Gwynne, Col and Mrs MacLagan, Miss Isabel MacLagan, Rev and Mrs. Champion, Miss Champion, Miss Wilson, Mr and Mrs E G Grace, Mr and Mr. Circuitt, Mr James and Miss Cunningham, Mr and Mrs F A Campbell, Mr A D Campbell, Mr and Mrs D. Gordon (Manar). Mr F Campbell (Yarralumla), Mr Arthur Brassey, Mrs and Misses Smith, Mrs Barton, Mrs Griffin (Yass), Professor Miles, Professor Hosking, Professor Barnard, Professor Haydon, Dr Mc Kenzie, Mr Gilchrist, Lieut Webster, Lieut and Mrs Shappere, Capt James, Capt Macartney, Dr Lalor, Mr Binnie, Miss Bethune, Miss Armstrong, Mr A P Thompson, Mr Fred Champion, Mrs and Miss Richardson, and the following invited cadets, viz Messrs Forbes, Selby, Broadbent, Clowes, Jennings, Newmarch, Irwin, Logan, Dunlop, Biden, Munro. Many Sydney friends were unable to be present.
 
The following costumes were worn by the ladies present: Mrs Gwynne, mole satin charmeuse, large hat to match; Mrs MacLagan, white coat and skirt, black hat; Mrs E G Crace, black coat and skirt, black and white hat, black furs; Mrs P G Smith, black silk; Mrs Champion, green foulard, black and white hat; Mrs Griffin (Yass), black satin charmeuse, small square train; Mrs Richardson, grey and white striped frock, black hat turned off face; Mrs A Campbell, black satin charmeuse, black hat; Mrs Circuitt, green and white foulard, black hat, white roses; Mrs Gordon, navy blue coat and skirt, small brown hat; Mrs. Shappere, black ninon, black velvet hat; Mrs Barton, chamnpagne viole, small black hat, white lace crown; Miss Smith, white frock, black hat; Miss G Smith, grey embroidered voile, grey hat to match; Miss D Cunning ham, brown coat and skirt, black hat; Miss Bessie Crace, mole cloth, black hat and furs; Miss Wilson, black frock, black hat to match; Miss Mollie Richardson, dark mole dress, mole hat trimmed rose colours; Miss Armstrong, navy serge coat and skirt, rose hat, black feathers; Miss Bethune, electric blue coat and skirt, black beaver hat, black feathers; Miss Isabel MacLagan, white muslin, pink sash; Miss Champion, amethyst, frock, black beaver bat; Miss Helen and Freda Crace, white muslin, pale blue sashes.  [Queanbeyan Age, Tue 30 Apr 1912 – trove.nla.gov.au]

Arrival

Mrs Claire Cicely Waller, 34 & William Richard Waller, 4, were travelling 1st class on the SS Malwa from Sydney to Plymouth. Their address in the UK was 5 Upper Bedford Pl, WC. They were permanent residents of Australia but intended to live in the UK.

Death

Of Castle House, Sherborne, Dorset (wife of Richard Lancelot Waller) died 17 Dec 1951 at The Old Manor, Salisbury. Probate to Alan William Turnbull, CB, MC, solicitor, Frederick Walter How, schoolmaster & Jeston Homfray, co dir. Effects £1,573 19s 4d.