Ronald Bamford & Doris Tatham

A wedding celebrated at the home of the bride, was that of Miss Doris Tatham, of "Homewood," Masterton, who was married to Mr. Ronald Bamford, England. The drawing-room was beautifully decorated with masses of flowers, a wedding bell adding much to the general appearance. The Rev. Whitby James officiated, and the music was provided by Miss Marie Kummer and Mrs. Arthur Bunny. The bride was accompanied by her uncle, Mr. F. Bunny, and was in a charming frock...

The bridesmaids were the Misses Yvonne Gibson (Wellington), Phyllis Tatham, and Marion Rutherford...  Mrs Tatham...received the guests...

Mr Herbert was best man, and the Messrs J. Lawrence and E. Maunsell were groomsmen. The wedding breakfast was held in a large marquee erected off the verandah and there were many wedding guests, some coming from other parts of the district.

Weddings, Evening Post, 27 April 1929, page 15

Tinui Parish marriage register entry

No. 62, April 24th, 1929, residence of Mrs J. H. Tatham, Homewood, Masterton.

Groom: Ronald Knowles BAMFORD, 27, Farmer, Bachelor, born Liverpool, England, living Masterton, father Herbert BAMFORD, Retired manufacturer, Mother Agnes Anne KNOWLES. 

Bride: Doris Beatrice TATHAM, 24, Home duties, Spinster, born Homewood, Masterton, living Homewood, Masterton, father John Harding TATHAM, farmer, mother Clara Cecilia BUNNY. 

The Rev. Henry Whitby James, Officiating Minister.

Witnesses: C C Tatham, Homewood, domestic duties, F.C. Bunny, Greytown, Farmer.

Family

Ronald Knowles BAMFORD was the son of Herbert BAMFORD, a retired manufacturer, of Liverpool. He was born in 1902 in Liverpool.  On 24 April 1929 he married Doris Beatrice TATHAM at her mother's home and farm, Homewood, Masterton.

Doris Tatham was the daughter of John Harding TATHAM and Cecilia Clare BUNNY.

Ronald Bamford emigrated to New Zealand in 1922. After his marriage he and Doris farmed at "Mahoe," Rock Road, Konini, Pahiatua, in the Tararua District.  They returned to the Homewood district after World War Two and farmed at "Waikohi." Ronald died March 1968 and is buried, with Doris, at Masterton Cemetery (Archer Street Cemetery, Plot 11, Row P, Lawn A-X.)

Children

Ronald and Doris had four children:

• Michael Tatham BAMFORD, born 11 December 1931, educated at Nelson College and farmed at "Waikohi,"  Homewood, Masterton. He died in 1991.

• Living

• Pamela Anne BAMFORD, born 10 April 1936 and baptised in Tinui Parish on 27 February 1938. She married Malcolm John SUTHERLAND on 17 December 1960, at "Waikohi," Homewood. They farmed at "Aotea," Hinakura, Martinborough. Pamela died in 2024 and Malcolm in 2000.

• Living

After Ronald's death in 1968, Doris married Reginald William KEBBELL, widower, whose wife Phyllis (nee Summerell) had died in 1972.

Reginald died in 1978 and his second wife Doris, formerly Bamford, nee Tatham, on 10 June 1979.

Further Tatham family ancestry is available on the Tatham Family History website.