Can anyone help please with ideas as to why a couple would have undergone two marriage ceremonies 1 year and 9 months apart: Sep 1903 at Scotforth, Lancs - groom a bachelor of 29, a merchant of Lancaster; bride a spinster of 22 of Ripley, Yorks. June 1905 at Southport, Lancs - groom a bachelor of 30, a merchant of Southport; bride a spinster of 24 of Halifax, Yorks. The groom used a different surname for the second marriage although he did not formerly announce that he wanted to be known by the new surname until Feb 1906, when he put an entry in the Times 6 days after the birth of their first child (whose birth was registered in March 1906 in the old surname!) They are definitely the same couple (and family bible shows both marriages) and their ages are correct, confirmed by birth certs. It's thought that the groom may have been on leave from the army when he married, but not known if this was for the first or the second time. Thoughts welcomed. Best regards Caroline Lancaster