1945 wedding – June James & Ralph Gangi

Wedding of Ralph David Gangi, aged 22, and June Brilda James, aged 17, at St James’ Church, Badsey, on 30th November 1945.

June James was born on 23rd April 1928, the daughter of James Lewis James and his wife, Rilda May (née Eastbury).  They lived at 2 Synehurst Avenue, Badsey.  June attended Badsey Council School and then moved to the new Blackminster School when it opened in 1939.

Ralph Gangi (1923-1998) was an American GI stationed in England.  After the wedding, June, as a war bride, joined her husband in the US later in 1945.  They remained happily married for 53 years until Ralph’s death in 1998.  June died in 2019 in Indiana.

Also featured in the photograph are:  Paul James (the small boy, brother of June) and Pamela Eastbury (rear right, June's cousin).

We are grateful to Ralph and June’s son, Barry Gangi, for sending a photo of his parents’ wedding.  He comments:  “Although my mother eventually became an American citizen, she never lost her love of England and in fact, visited Badsey many times.”