By Arthur Brighton

The 1930s wedding of my uncle, Sid Brighton to Ethel Austin.

I suspect the photo was taken near to my Grandma's house at 234 High St South. My Grandfather, William Brighton, is the old boy with the flower who is two along from the accordion player on the left of the picture. My dad, Arthur Brighton, is looking over my Granddad's right shoulder and my uncle Stan is looking over his left. My Grandma is the one with the little girl on her knee. Louie Watkins, Aunt Ethel's half sister, is sitting next to the bride. Also in photo are some members of family with the name of Bidwell but I am not sure where.

When Sid married Ethel they lived at 5a Charlemont Road, East Ham, next door to Ethel's sister Louie. Sid worked for Merriman's, a grocery shop in Ilford. He got called up in the Second World War and was injured in North Africa. Later he became the manager of a Co-Op shop on the main road near West Ham's Ground and he was a regular spectator at Upton Park.

Ethel first worked in a Jewish bakery in High Street North and I remember that the bread was to die for. Then she became a manager in one of the departments of the big Co-Op in East Ham.

The very large lady on the left of the picture was Italian wife of the older accordionist whose name was Lowry and the younger one, who was not related, had the first name Len. My dad said they were all in an act together and went round the pubs and that she could certainly belt out a song.  The two musicians can also be seen in the photo Brighton Family - 10,  where they are dressed as gypsies.

When Louie's husband, also named Sid died, she remarried to Arthur Watkins. I do keep in touch with Louie as does my Dad by phone. She now lives in sheltered accommodation in Plaistow, not far from the football ground. Ethel's brother had a son called Billy Austin who I have been in touch with over the years.

Photo and story from the private family collection of Arthur Brighton Jnr.