Published 1st Jun 2023, 11:50 BST

But it was only later, that she would later learn that her love George Hooson was among thousands of troops taking part in the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare.

June 6, 1944 was meant to be the couple’s wedding day. Instead, George found himself being taken over to France in a glider to take part in the D-Day invasion.

George and Jean’s remarkable tale is being told as part of a new exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum, after staff appealed to the community for historic wedding stories earlier this year.

George Hooson and Jean Magson were meant to marry on D-day during the Second World War.

A number of people came forward to share memories connected with war. “War obviously had a profound impact on people’s weddings and how they celebrated,” explains museum director, Jennifer Smith. “Consequently we were able to gather a number of stories from the community relating to the Second World War in particular.”

With millions of men away fighting, couples often had to make quick decisions about their nuptials and adjust their plans to fit with the realities of the times. One major factor was the lack of planning time, with many soldiers given only a few days’ notice before in which to plan before being deployed.

George and Jean’s story was shared with the museum by the bride’s nephew Tony Dobson. He’d never been told of the tale but when researching his family history, came across a newspaper cutting about the wedding that wasn’t.

“I thought gosh, I can’t believe this,” says Tony. “[Finding it] coincided with the museum asking for stories.”

Bridegroom George was informed that he must abandon his wedding plans to journey at once to France. He was not permitted to tell anyone.

Protesting to his officer, he was reassured that the marriage could wait until his return. George was allowed to send only a letter with prewritten phrases to his bride.

“Unsurprisingly, there was no phrase quite appropriate for his circumstances,” explains Jennifer. “The rest of the story is somewhat mysterious.

"Jean did get prewarned, mercifully, so wasn’t jilted at the church that day. Though George never knew who sent it, a telegram had informed her: ‘SORRY. CANNOT MAKE IT.’ It’s certainly to the point, but it sounds like she didn't hold it against him.”

“It’s really humbling to see the impact on individuals of a global event that we’re all so familiar with,” Jennifer adds. “A couple’s wedding day is such a special event in their lives – George must have been devastated.”

George returned safe from service and the couple married in Kirkbymoorside in October 1944. Their story is told as part of the Something Old, Something New exhibition, on at Ryedale Folk Museum until November 12.

The story of a jilted bride whose husband-to-be was sent to D-Day invasion on wedding day