Portsmouth bride buried in wedding dress beside new husband
Many stories came out of the blitz on the city in the early years of the Second World War, but these pictures tell a very sad story.
Laurence Pearce, 23, was a member of the Pharmaceutical Society and employed by the well-known Portsmouth company Timothy White’s & Taylor.
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Hide AdLaurence attended the Southern Grammar School, studied at the technical college and also went to night school.
He was offered an appointment with Timothy White’s but forgot to turn up for the interview.
He phoned the manager, told him his problem and they agreed to rearrange the interview which Laurence passed and was taken on.
He was well thought of in the company and would have gone on to higher things had his life not been taken when so young.
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Hide AdIris Kane was also 23 and worked in the same store as Laurence as a shop assistant. She lived at 23, Balliol Road, Kingston.
Both were only children and when they married they lived with an aunt at 9, Milton Road, Copnor.
On the afternoon of November 10, 1940, the couple were visiting Laurence’s parents at 42, Sunningdale Road, Copnor, when the surprise raid began.
A bomb fell between his parents’ house and number 44 killing the couple instantly.
Alfred Purkis, who lived at 44, was also killed.
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Hide AdThe couple lie alongside each other in Kingston Cemetery. Iris was buried in her wedding dress.
They had been married for five weeks.
n War-torn Portsmouth, Then After and Now is available from tomorrow at Waterstones, Commercial Road, The Cathedral Bookshop, New 2 U, Cosham, and JG Riley, Locksway Road, Milton at £9.99.