▶Date of birth: c1840     Place of birth: near Dunoon, Argyllshire, Scotland

▶Father: Andrew Thomson   Mother: Leslie Elizabeth Collier

▶Spouse(s): Ann Thomson    Date(s) of marriage: 28 February 1867   Place(s) of marriage: St. Luke’s Church, Cheltenham

▶Occupation:

▶Lifestory: Cheltenham Chronicle 5 March 1867

Fashionable wedding at St Luke’s Church

It has been our privilege to describe many fashionable weddings at St Luke's Church, but it is seldom that it falls to our lot to record one of greater importance, or magnificence than the one celebrated there on Thursday morning, when Miss Ann Thomson, eldest daughter of George Thomson, Esq., of Ellingham House, Pittville, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Andrew Thompson, Esq., Scotland, and late of New Zealand.

Preparations for the happy event were made upon a most extensive scale at Ellingham House, and orders were received at Brunswick House, the establishment of Mr. Smith, in the Promenade, for no less than thirty-six ladies' dresses, while Mr. W. Garrett, the manager of the Plough Hotel, was directed to furnish fifteen carriages, each drawn by a pair of iron-grey horses; the duty preparing the wedding breakfast being assigned to Mr. George. The hour fixed for the celebration of the marriage was eleven o'clock, but long before that hour everybody at Ellingham House was astir, and at ten some of the company began to assemble, but soon took their departure for the church in equipages that awaited them, and by the appointed time the wedding party to the number of between forty and fifty had arrived and took their places in the chancel, while the bridesmaids—ten in number—remainded on either side of the middle aisle near the principal entrance to the sacred edifice awaiting the arrival of their charge.

The church was crowded by a fashionable congregation who seemed to take a lively interest in the proceedings, but the far greater majority of spectators were young ladies, who stood in large clusters upon every spot from whence a sight of the chancel could be commanded, doubtless with a view of criticising the dresses of their fair friends therein assembled, but with some among them another motive might have been in view, that of learning a lesson, in order that they might, when asked, be prepared to go through a similar ceremony upon some future occasion.

At eleven o'clock the officiating minister, the Rev. Thomas Valpy French, and the Rev. J. Armitage, left the vestry room and took up their places within the communion rails, and at this period the bridegroom and the whole of the wedding party with the exception of the bride had arrived, therefore her arrival was anxiously awaited; amongst those present in the chancel, were—Mr. William Thomson, Mrs. Cruickshank, Mr. Cruickshank, Miss B. Thomson, Mr Thomson. Mrs. Simpson, Mr. H. Thomson, Mrs. Thomson, Mr. Simpson, Mrs. Brunlees, Mr. Knight, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Rae, Mr. Champion, Mrs. French, Mrs. Champion, Mr. Rae, Mrs. Armitage, Mr. Duncan, Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Pitman, Mrs Midwood, Mr. Brunlees, Mrs. P. Thomson, Mr. Ashworth, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Corbett, Miss Rae, Mr. Scott, Mrs. Duncan, Mr. Harris, Mrs. Scott, Miss M. Breenlees, Mr. G. Holme.

The bride kept her intended husband and her friends in but a momentary suspense, for about five minutes after eleven a general buzz of whispering announced her arrival, and she at once passed up the central aisle to the chancel leaning upon the arm of her father, followed by the bridesmaids. She advanced up the aisle with a firm step and with no perceptical nervousness although the imposing scene before them was sufficient to ruffle the composure of the most calm and collected young lady around her.

The principal part of the service was performed by the Rev. T. V. French, and at its conclusion the newly married couple proceeded to the vestry room where the register was attested by them and by the father of the bride and by Mr. Corbett as witnesses; during the time this was being done the scene in the church was one worthy of description. The bridesmaids no longer kept their rank but mingled with the numerous friends of the wedded pair to express their congratulations, and one their number, Miss Emily Thomson, was busy in the distribution of some beautiful rosettes to the wedding party. The bridesmaids were Miss Emily Thomson, Miss Janet Thomson, Miss Agnes Thomson, sisters the bride, Miss Brunlees, London, E. Thompson, Cobirdy, Scotland, two Misses Duncan, Miss Simpson, two Miss Corbetts, of Rotherham.

As soon as the register had been signed the wedding party rapidly left the church and proceeded to Ellingham House where a splendid dejeuner was provided and to which about sixty sat down; the health of the happy couple was drank in sparkling champagne, and at 2.20 they left for the Great Western Station in the family carriage. Mr and Mrs. Thompson left by the 2.25 o'clock train for London. We had a glimpse of the presents that were made to the bride which were exhibited in the drawing room of Ellingham House, and they were very numerous and of a very costly and elegant description.

Aberdeen Press & Journal 2 August 1928  

Mr Andrew Thomson, a well-known figure in British yachting circles, died at Cowes yesterday, aged eighty-seven. Born near Dunoon, Argyllshire, he was for many years official handicapper to the Royal Yacht Squadron and other clubs, and for half a century had officiated at Ostend Regatta, where he was on duty three weeks ago. He was also a member and committee man of the Royal London Yacht Club, and carried on a yacht broker's business in London.

▶Moved to Pittville from:      Moved from Pittville to:

▶Date of death: 1 August 1928   Place of death: Cowes, Isle of Wight

▶Date of burial: 4 August 1928    Place of burial: Cowes

▶Notes:  Hampshire Advertiser 11 August 1928

The funeral of Mr. Andrew Thomson, the veteran yachting official, took place at Cowes on Saturday. According to the deceased's wishes the remains were conveyed from the house, Fairlea, Basing-road, on a pair-horse farm wagon. and no mourning was worn. The Rev. C. E. Paterson (Vicar of Holy Trinity and hon. Chaplain of the R.Y.S.), officiated. The chief mourners included: Major W. Clegg (son-in-law), Mr. J. E C. Thomson (brother-in-law). Major Hailes, Major W. Lister. Mr. A. H. Wyatt. and Mr. T. W. Allen (chief clerk at the London Office).

ID: 937

Contributor(s): David Drinkwater