EARLY 20th CENTURY: ROCHE - McGAHAN
This beautiful photo (the cover image for this blog) is of the wedding of Hannah Roche aand Patrick (Paddy) McGahan. The photo was taken on the verandah of the McGahan family home at Emu Vale on 11 August 1908 following the wedding at the Emu Vale Catholic Church.
Back row: Polly (Mary Ann) Roche, Bridget Roche, Cornelius Roche, Mr & Mrs Maurice Clifford.
Middle Row: Mick Roche, Maggie Roche, Paddy McGahan (groom) Hannah Roche (bride), Mary Ann Roche, Richard Roche.
Front row: Katie Dale Roche, Annie Roche, Jack Roche, Eileen Roche, Willie Roche, Jane Roche (baby).
Hannah Maria Roche (McGahan) was born on 23 September 1886 in Warwick. Her parents were Richard John McGahan (1861-1945) and Mary Ann (nee Healy) (1865-1930).
Patrick was born on 3 October 1877 in Emu Vale. His parents were Patrick McGahan (1838-1894) and Mary Teresa Nevin (1857-1883).
Hannah and Patrick had four children during their marriage. Hannah died on 8 November 1944, age 58, Patrick died on 15 September 1965. Both Hannah and Patrick are buried in the Warwick cemetery.
The Warwick Examiner & Times reported: The bride was prettily attired in a grey tweed dress, the skirt being plain with silk trimmings. The bodice in a coatee style was trimmed with floral silk, vest of tucked net, elbow sleeves and broad floral silk bell. A handsome white hat completed the pretty toilette. She carried a beautiful bouquet of sweet peas, stalks, and asparagus, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaid's frock was of grey tweed pleated skirt, the bodice being fitted with cream lace yoke and wide pale blue ribbon, el bow sleeves, and broad pale blue silk belt, while hat to match. The bride's travelling dress was of navy-blue cashmere, the skirt being plain; the bodice was made with cream fare yolk, elbow sleeves and broad silk belt; hat ensuite. The dresses were designed and made by Miss Fraser, of Yangan. Mr. M. Roche, brother of the bride, was best man. The ceremony was performed by Father Potter. As the happy couple left the church they were greeted with showers of rice and confetti, and immediately the wedding party drove to the residence of the bride's parents, where a sumptuous wedding breakfast was provided by Mrs. Roche. This was laid out in a large shed which had been transformed into a veritable fairy bower by the willing hands of the young lady friends of the bride. Three long tables and one cross table were filled with guests.