I'm told some folks find blog posts with lots of statistics a bit much to take. For them, for light relief, here are a few short films showing WW2 war brides coming to and in Canada.
My aunt was a war bride, coming to Canada in 1946. She brought with her my mother (who was 13) and another sister (who was 15), as their parents had both passed away. In the first video, there is a lady who talks about the shock of seeing her new home, after coming from the city. My mom and aunts used to tell the same story. They came from the big city of Dundee, Scotland to a farm in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, where there was no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing! I went to a couple of War Bride reunions with my aunt when visiting her. I'm still amazed at what these ladies gave up to start a new life in a new country amongst total strangers (and in some cases that included their new husbands). But I can tell you this, they sure can party! My aunt passed away in 2005, just after her 90th birthday. My mom has also since passed away (too young at only 70). My other aunt is still with us - she is 85 yrs. old and acts like she is in her sixties.
My aunt was a war bride, coming to Canada in 1946. She brought with her my mother (who was 13) and another sister (who was 15), as their parents had both passed away. In the first video, there is a lady who talks about the shock of seeing her new home, after coming from the city. My mom and aunts used to tell the same story. They came from the big city of Dundee, Scotland to a farm in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, where there was no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing! I went to a couple of War Bride reunions with my aunt when visiting her. I'm still amazed at what these ladies gave up to start a new life in a new country amongst total strangers (and in some cases that included their new husbands). But I can tell you this, they sure can party! My aunt passed away in 2005, just after her 90th birthday. My mom has also since passed away (too young at only 70). My other aunt is still with us - she is 85 yrs. old and acts like she is in her sixties.
Thanks John. I haven't seen these videos before. My mum and I arrived on the S.S.Letitia at Pier 21 on April 25, 1946. We were then put on the "War Bride Train" and were met at Montreal by my father. He was a volunteer RCAF radar technician who was posted to England and stationed on the Isle of Wight. He met and married my mum in 1942. The voyage for my mother and myself from England to Canada was probably traumatic for her since she was leaving behind her parents and friends for an uncertain future in a strange country. I of course have no memory of this since I was just 2 years old at the time. The videos give a little insight into what we might have experienced.
My aunt was a war bride, coming to Canada in 1946. She brought with her my mother (who was 13) and another sister (who was 15), as their parents had both passed away. In the first video, there is a lady who talks about the shock of seeing her new home, after coming from the city. My mom and aunts used to tell the same story. They came from the big city of Dundee, Scotland to a farm in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, where there was no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing! I went to a couple of War Bride reunions with my aunt when visiting her. I'm still amazed at what these ladies gave up to start a new life in a new country amongst total strangers (and in some cases that included their new husbands). But I can tell you this, they sure can party! My aunt passed away in 2005, just after her 90th birthday. My mom has also since passed away (too young at only 70). My other aunt is still with us - she is 85 yrs. old and acts like she is in her sixties.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt was a war bride, coming to Canada in 1946. She brought with her my mother (who was 13) and another sister (who was 15), as their parents had both passed away. In the first video, there is a lady who talks about the shock of seeing her new home, after coming from the city. My mom and aunts used to tell the same story. They came from the big city of Dundee, Scotland to a farm in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, where there was no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing! I went to a couple of War Bride reunions with my aunt when visiting her. I'm still amazed at what these ladies gave up to start a new life in a new country amongst total strangers (and in some cases that included their new husbands). But I can tell you this, they sure can party! My aunt passed away in 2005, just after her 90th birthday. My mom has also since passed away (too young at only 70). My other aunt is still with us - she is 85 yrs. old and acts like she is in her sixties.
ReplyDeleteThanks John. I haven't seen these videos before. My mum and I arrived on the S.S.Letitia at Pier 21 on April 25, 1946. We were then put on the "War Bride Train" and were met at Montreal by my father. He was a volunteer RCAF radar technician who was posted to England and stationed on the Isle of Wight. He met and married my mum in 1942. The voyage for my mother and myself from England to Canada was probably traumatic for her since she was leaving behind her parents and friends for an uncertain future in a strange country. I of course have no memory of this since I was just 2 years old at the time. The videos give a little insight into what we might have experienced.
ReplyDelete