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War Brides

  • Thread starter Thread starter Beryl M
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Beryl M

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Over sexed – over paid and over here - the phrase was made more popular by Tommy Trinder a well-known English comedian. Conditions were very bad in Britain in the early 1940s and naturally British men, resented the attraction of GIs, with their ready supply of nylons and cigarettes, among British women. Their buttocks would roll in their trousers - said Malcome Muggeridge....

Unfortunately, during those times a girl’s reputation was mud – if she went out with an American soldier even though some of these liaisons turned out to be true love matches…. There were thousands of marriages between US servicemen and British women (War brides)
 
My mother-in-law was a war bride and married a Canadian soldier in London in l941. Father-in-law served with the Seaforth Highlanders, a unit of which was formed in Vancouver in l939. He joined up when the unit was formed and they shipped overseas to Pirbright. Nick, my father-in-law was born in Scotland and taken to Canada when he was two years old. He survived some nasty battles in Holland and Italy and came home to Vancouver after a very long trip in l945.

My mother-in-law and her only son, my husband born in Queen Charlotte's hospital London in l942, came across to Halifax with an escort
ship alongside in l943. The whole ship was filled with war brides and when they boarded the train to come across Canada to Vancouver, many women got off along the way and sometimes there was no one there to meet them.
All the children who came with their mothers were issued with silver identity
bracelets in case the ships were torpedoed on the way across the Atlantic.
My husband still has his.
 
My mum's half-sister was one of the first war brides who married a "Yank" from Tasmania. She had his child and went to US after the war and lived with him until he died a couple of years ago. She has children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her daughter and I correspond regularly and have met when she came to visit us a few years ago. We instantly felt some rapport. I've also met my aunt and her husband and could see the wonderful bond that they had between them. I don't think my aunt's name was ever "mud" and certainly isn't now. People are just people - whatever ethnic background in my opinion - I just take people as I find them. :) Even a few POMs:) (including my dear departed father).
 
My uncle Jack's wife went off with an American soldier while he was serving with the Air Force. He never re married and lived with my Mom after the death of my father. He lived with his sister my Mom for 30 years he passed away in 2000 and Mom in 2004 they were both 86 years and one month to the day.
 
Mom left my father in 1944, and took me to live with family in Hamstead. While we were there she met an American soldier, I know this because I was always there when they 'dated'. He was young and handsome, and wanted us to go back with him to the US after the war was over. No one ever criticised Joe, I think English men were envious of them, becuase they had money and were very laid back, but the women thought they were wonderful. Mom really only ever loved my father, and we went back home to Witton in '46. Dad continued to see other women but mom never strayed again.:)
 
These stories are really so touching. Back in England, the UK History channel is repeating the 'Sex, Love and War' series, which tells so many similar stories - all about WW2 of course. I'm sure similar things have happened in later (and earlier) wars, not to mention the mess that survives after the wars are 'won' or 'lost', whichever side you find yourself on.
Isn't there a kind of glamour about a soldier which appeals to a girl? It may be partly due to the loyalties of her family and the people around her, but I suspect that this is so.
Peter
 
I agree with you Peter - There was a certain amount of glamour attached to the American soldier - Firstly they wore a much nicer better quality uniform and had money to spend on girls -
The American governemt could afford to look after them - when they were issued with sunglasses in the desert - and ours were not...
 
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There is many a sad story told by war brides - especially those who were fed a line.....
 
Lovely Story Kate, I remember the parades along Newtown Row and the GIs throwing us Gum
 
It also leaves heartbreak ,I am a so called war baby my mom came from scotland to assemble the bombers at solihull and did voluntary work at the hospitals where she met my dad, a canadian who had been injured in the war he was at marston green canadian base 2 hospital I think it was called. He wanted to marry mom she went through all vetting and was approved but my elder sister was being looked after my her sister (whos fault it was mom was in brum, but thats another story) anway family met my dad and liked him, so all was in schedule but then my sister wanted to stay with my aunt and not go to canada though I think it was more my aunts decision and my aunt was to put it in words of song "whatever Lola wants" and so there was no way mom was giving up her daughter. So dad went back to Canada at end of war and since I was 16 have searched for him but because they were not married I cannot be given any info and that makes me so so angry. I have the moral RIGHT to know who my father was, the thought of dying an uncomplete puzzle is wrong, for me and my kids so almost 50 years on still hoping to find Russell Farrell last known address Cotton st or boulevarde ontario. Does anyone remember anything of Marston Green Canadian Hospital.
Jean
One sad lady
 
not for canada each year I write and each year I,m refused information because "they were not married and it might offend or upset his family" ..what am I ?
Jean
 
Jean,
i am a war baby that was adopted i have found my family but nothing on my farther but i have someone looking for information on him now so i mite have more family somewhere.
 
Jean,
it's the same here it is a confidentiality thing the way it works here is they find the people then it is up to them whether they want to get in touch with you or not
 
L was a little young to be dating in the war but l do remember my dad saying around 1950 don't ever bring a yank to this house....he had a bad taste in his mouth about the Yanks l guess because of them being over here.....well my first boyfriend Ron l took home was a yank, only half of one though his father was american and his mother came from Tower rd...its a long story but his dad was in the American army....we were both seventeen, and as you may know at that age at that time Ron was eligable for national service regardless of what nationality you were, so Ron did three years in the RAF....my dad still was not very happy about me going out with a Yank....after marrying in 1956 we left for Texas in 1958,...mom and dads first trip to Texas cured all dads hard feelings about yanks....he loved it, the country the people southern hospitality etc...but it took a few years to get to that point but well worth it..Brenda
 
Hi, yes the americans do you info but the Canadians wont give anything there was a couple who did searching for Canadian fathers they are called Olga & Claude Rains but at the time I was bringing up my kids and just hadnt got the cash to spare I wish you luck please let me know how you get on. Going to be in your neck of the woods late June x
 
hi Jean,
when you say your neck of the woods do you mean Pembrokeshire, we went on a walk yesturday around Dinas head up by Fishguard it was well worth it but you need good legs.
 
My grandfather was an American GI from New Jersey. It took many years to trace him as his Italian surname was slightly changed over time but we had a letter from him with his army number, middle initial and rank. We found him in the mid 1990's but had died 2 years previous with no other children having married aged 66. Happily our 2 cousins have both visited and both my dad and I have travellesd to USA. Cousin Bill even sent my grandfathers war medals and his gold watch for my dad to keep.:cry:

My grandmother (who sadly died when my dad was only 2) dated him during the war when her husband was at war. Obviously when her husband returned she became homeless and her oldest son was taken to live with his paternal family. Sadly my dads half brother will have nothing to do with my dad. He does appear in several family trees online, but he names his step mom and other halfbrother as his family - no mention of his real mother, my dad or their little sister who died as a baby. Da was raised by his grandparents in Clifford Street until they died too. So sad.

Strange how some things in life have huge effects on others.
 
Yes I,m coming over for 10 weeks and bringing american pal with me going to show her the real England & Wales along with devon & Cornwall then up to scotland stopping of at the lakes..Americans seem to think england only consists of London. Last time she came with me took her to the black country museum which was an eye opener she loved it. Want to take her down some of the mines in Wales.
 
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