Miriam W Farndale, daughter of Robert William and Violet (nee Wood) Farndale (FAR00662), was born on 22 January 1928 in Guisborough District. Her birth was registered in Guisborough District (GRO Vol 9D Page 791).

Danby

1939

1939 census – Briar Cottage, Briar Hill, Danby, Castleton, Whitby

Violet Farndale, born 24 July 1887, domestic duties (her mother)

Miriam Farndale (later Bennetts), born 22 January 1928, at school, single

One other

1956

Miriam W Farndale, married Henry Bennetts in the second quarter of 1956 at Whitby District (MR).

The Belfast News-Letter, 19 May 1956: WOMAN WHOSE HEART STOPPED IS TO MARRY AFTER SIX YEAR WAIT. A young woman who has spent more than five years in hospital, whose heart stopped beating under an operation and who then took a “50-50” chance of recovery by undergoing another similar operation cover will be married on whit Monday to the man to whom she became engaged before her illness. She is Miss Miriam Farndale aged 28, of Brian Cottage, Danby, near Whitby. Her fiancé is Mr Harry Bennetts, of High Street, Moorsholm, Yorkshire, a stores superintendent. They started planning their wedding in September 1950. The date was fixed, a house found and furnished, the cake made, and the bridal dress brought bought, then Miss Farndale was taken seriously ill. However, Mr Bennett's faith in his fiancee's recovery never wavered, and every weekend he made a long journey by car to be at her bedside. For four years he paid the rent of the house before giving it up and storing furniture. For the wedding which will take place in Danby Methodist Church, the bride will wear the white satin dress she chose as a girl of 22.

Daily Herald, 19 May 1956: THE FAITH OF TWO YOUNG LOVERS. The white satin wedding dress which the bride will wear on Monday is 6 years old. So were the presents she was arranging last night for the guests to see. For Miriam Farndale, 28, was due to be married six years ago to her schoolboy sweetheart. But she fell ill. At her home, Brian Cottage, Danby, Yorkshire, she spoke last night of the years of heartbreak that have slipped by since she was first to wed Harry Bennett, now 27. “Harry and I met when I was 15 and he was 14. Six years later we became engaged and planned to marry on September 30, 1950. The cake was ordered, the guests invited, I had my dress. 18 days before the wedding I was found to have tuberculosis. It was a dreadful shock, but we had to face it and the wedding was put off.” Miriam went to hospitals in York and Hull but every weekend for six years Harry travelled to see her. “He was there to cheer me up and give me hope in my darkest moments,” she said. Miriam left hospital, cured, on Christmas Eve. And last night, Harry, of High Street, Moorsholm, Yorkshire, was decorating their cottage near Stanghow. “She was worth waiting for” he said.

Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 1956: GIRL WHOSE HEART STOPPED IS BRIDE. SHE SPENT 5 YEARS IN HOSPITAL. A young woman who has spent over five years in hospital, whose heart stopped beating under an operation, and who then took a “50-50” chance of recovery by undergoing another similar operation, will walk up the aisle on Whit Monday for her wedding, planned nearly six years ago. Attractive 28 year old, Miriam Farndale, of Brian Cottage, Danby, near Whitby, will be married in Danby Methodist Chapel to Harry Bennetts, of High Street, Moorsholm, Yorkshire, a stores superintendent at Skinningrove, Yorkshire, iron works. Harry was 21 when the two in September, 1950, started planning their wedding. The date was fixed, a house found and furnished, the cake made and the bridal dress bought,. Then Miriam was taken ill. For over 5 years she was in hospital moving between York and Hull for operations. Harry’s faith in her recovery never wavered and every weekend he made the long journey by car to be at her bedside. He spent his holidays near the hospital. For four years he paid the rent of the house before giving it up and storing the furniture. Then during an operation Miriam’s heart stopped beating. Doctors working for over 9 hours saved her life, but they gave her only two more years to live. But Miriam would not give in. “I want you to try the operation again”, she told the surgeon, and chances of recovery were given as “50-50”. Her parents were against her taking the risk but she insisted. The operation was a success. On Monday she will wear the white satin wedding dress she chose as a girl of 22.

The Yorkshire Observer, 19 May 1956: WOMAN ‘DIED’ DURING OPERATION, NOW TO WED SIX YEARS LATE. A young woman who has spent more than five years in hospital, whose heart stopped beating under an operation and who then took a “50-50” chance of recovery by undergoing another similar operation, will walk up the aisle on whit Monday for her wedding planned nearly six years ago. Attractive 28 year old Miriam Farndale, of Brian Cottage, Danby, near Whitby, will be married in Danby Methodist Chapel to Harry Bennetts... Harry was 21 when the two started to plan their wedding in September 1950....

Birmingham Post, 19 May 1956: GIRL WHO TOOK CHANCE ON LIFE. A young woman who has spent over five years in hospital, whose heart stopped beating under an operation and he then took a “50-50” chance of recovery by undergoing another similar operation will walk up the aisle on Monday for her wedding planned nearly six years ago. She is Miss Miriam Farndale, aged 28, of Brian Cottage, Danby, near Whitby, who will be married in Danby Methodist Chapel to Mr Harry Bennetts, of High Street, Moorsholm, North Yorkshire.

Nottingham Guardian, 19 May 1956: WOMAN WILL MARRY SIX YEARS LATE. Six years late for the wedding she planned in 1950, Miriam Farndale, 28, or Brian Cottage, Danby, Whitby, will walk up the aisle of Danby Methodist Church on Monday for her marriage to Harry Bennetts, of High Street, Moorsholm, Yorkshire. Miriam had spent over five years in hospital. Under one operation her heart stopped beating and she then took a 50-50 chance of recovery by undergoing another similar operation...

Nottingham Evening Post, 19 May 1956: THE BRIDE WHO IS SIX YEARS LATE. Six years late for the wedding she planned in 1950, Miriam Farndale, 28, of Brian Cottage, Danby, near Whitby, will walk up the aisle of Danby Methodist Church on Whitsunday for her marriage to Harry Bennetts, of High Street, Moorsholm, Yorkshire... “I feel wonderful and so happy,” she said yesterday. On Monday she will wear the white satin wedding dress she chose a girl of 22.

Birmingham Post, 22 May 1956: MARRIED SIX YEARS LATE. COURAGE OF GIRL WHO OVERCAME TB. Miss Miriam Farndale was married yesterday at the small Methodist Church at Danby, North Yorkshire, to Mr Harry Bennett, the man she should have married six years ago. In 1950, Miss Farndale was out buying bridesmaids dresses when a letter came with the result of x-ray examination. It told her that she was seriously ill with tuberculosis. Nearly six years in hospitals followed, and she was at one time given only two years to live. Her fiancé however kept the faith and visited her every week in various hospitals in Yorkshire, until she gained strength and was able to return home. The white satin dress she wore yesterday was one the one she would have worn six years ago. Most of the guests, the best man and some presents were the same. But a new gift “from matron” symbolised the courage of the bride.

Middlesbrough

1999

Miriam Wood Bennetts died aged 71, on 3 February 1999 at Middlesbrough.