Description
Object description
British civilian in Brighton, GB, 1939-1945; emigrated to Canada and married Canadian serviceman, 1945.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in Brighton, GB, 1923-1945: family background; still at school when war declared, 9/1939; family connections with Canada; story of arrival of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 1st Canadian Infantry Div, in Brighton, spring 1941; use of St. Mark's Church; story of meeting future husband; reaction of family to relationship; comparison of reputation of Canadian and American soldiers in Brighton area; story of engagement and fiancée's overseas service, 1942; description of war work at the Defence Department, Knockholt, Kent; assistance from Canadian officers in obtaining passage to Canada, 1945; procedure for going to Canada; question of losing British passport and nationality; benefit of having relations in Toronto; preparations for departure; price of ticket; luggage; problem of sewing machine and other items being damaged during unloading; description of journey to Southampton. Aspects of voyage from Southampton to Halifax, Canada, 1945: reaction to sailing aboard banana boat SS Bayano; description of other passengers including former Canadian POWs; morale aboard ship; reason for spending first night in local jail in Halifax; description of aftermath of VE Day riots in Halifax; description of three-week voyage to Canada; medical condition; first impressions of Canada.
REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of period in Canada, 1945-1986: story of reunion with fiancée in Winnipeg, Manitoba; accommodation situation; description of wedding in Pilot Mound, 8/Sep/1945; story of war brides being presented with homemade quilts made by local community; moved into Rivercrest Veterans Community, 12/1946; opinion of lifestyle in Veterans Community; story of meeting girl who worked for grandmother; reason for remaining in Veterans Community; comparison of lifestyle in Canada and GB; question of homesickness and adjusting to life in Canada; education of four children; attitude to own nationality; story of working to pay for trips to GB; contacts with Canadian War Brides Association.