War Brides of WW2

During WW2, thousands of young European brides who had married Canadian and American servicemen, had to be transported across the Atlantic to their husband's homes. For wives of Canadian servicemen, The Canadian Wives Bureau in downtown London handled all the transportation arrangements. Wives of Americans were assisted by the US military and the American Red Cross.

One of their first observations of British brides, was that war-time rations they had endured in Britain, did not extend to the convoys. Generous helpings of roast beef, potatoes, and gravy, not to mention long-unseen fresh fruits, gave the brides a positive first impression of their new homeland, even before their arrival. To read some personal stories, go to https://www.facebook.com/WarBrides/

In Another Ocean to Cross, the main character becomes a war bride. Little does she realize, at first, what is in store for her. Imagine what it must have been like, travelling to another continent, meeting in-laws for the first time, and dealing with a vastly different climate and culture.

Most war brides were greeted with kindness and welcome, but others were mistreated, or found themselves living in places so remote and primitive, that they suffered with homesickness and loneliness. Some even found their way home back to their home country.

My mother and her sister were war brides, but they traveled from Canada to Britain, having married British servicemen sent to Canada for training. I have found nothing about these "reverse" war brides other than my mother's writings, so if any reader has more information, please email me at info@anngriffinwriter.com.

(Photo is my parents, Ron and Letty Evans, left, on their wedding day. May 5, 1943. The bridesmaid was Pearl Maynard. The best man was Alex.)