Description
Object description
British civilian in Bedford, GB, 1939-1945; married American serviceman and emigrated to US, 1946; post-war life in US, GB and Australia.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1927-1939: family background and childhood in Southend-on-Sea, London and Bedford; story of relatives gassed and wounded during First World War; reaction to outbreak of war, 9/1939. Aspects of period in Bedford, GB, 1939-1945: description of education and opinion of evacuee teacher Miss Wade; story about daughter Julia's career as actress; description of living conditions and rationing during war; story of family moving to Blackpool and return to Bedford; employment; description of Bedford at end of war and attitude to post-war redevelopment; story about brother Ted's experiences during Coventry blitz.
REEL 2 Continues: reaction to arrival of American GIs in Bedford; description of employment at US airbase in Thurleigh; opinion of wages and working conditions; story of women workers being vetted to prevent employment of prostitutes; description of base and facilities; method of travelling to work; description of work in kitchen and in bar; question of following protocol when pilots failed to return; description of dances on base with Glenn Miller Orchestra; story of making own clothes for jitterbug dancing; description of two sexual abuse incidents; attitude to racial discrimination on base.
REEL 3 Continues: story of meeting future husband Tom Blalock, assistant chaplain on base; reaction to news of Glenn Miller's death and rumours about circumstances of how he died; description of flight in B-17 bomber; reaction to loss of pilots after D-Day landings, 6/1944; description of VE Day celebrations in Bedford, 5/1945; story about relatives serving on Arctic convoys. Aspects of period in Bedford, GB, 1945-1946: story of engagement, marriage and honeymoon, 1945; attitude of family to husband's mixed ethnicity; question of not receiving money from US Government after marriage; attitude to husband's return to US; story of attending centre for GI war brides in Southampton and preparations for journey to US, 1946.
REEL 4 Continues: description of departure from Southampton. Aspects of voyage aboard USAT Willard A. Holbrook from Southampton to New York, US, 1946: problem of lack of medical attention during pregnancy; description of cabin and occupants; other passengers including wounded soldiers; diversity of GI brides aboard ship; story of some GI brides having affairs with sailors during voyage; problem of babies becoming ill and description of six small coffins being unloaded at New York. Aspects of period in US, GB and Australia, 1946-2014: first impressions of New York; story of being escorted by a Military Policeman to Grand Central Station and description of train journey to Mishawaka, North Indiana; story of being given whiskey and having face heavily made up; reaction of husband and family to appearance and intoxicated condition; attitude to unfriendly reception from mother-in-law and other relatives; story of joining local GI War Brides club and reason for leaving; opinion of husband and his work.
REEL 5 Continues: story about birth and death of son in hospital; story of moving to Laporte and employment before returning to Mishawaka; story about birth of daughter and problem of paying $300 expenses; reaction to racist attitudes in local community; story of husband's Native American family background; reason for deciding to return to GB; story of saving up money for six months to pay for hotel and voyage to GB; attempt by mother-in-law to prevent husband and family leaving US; reaction to loss of first baby; description of arrival in New York and departure for GB aboard the Queen Elizabeth.
REEL 6 Continues: comparison of lifestyles and living conditions in GB and US; reaction to story being covered in press; story of husband training as hairdresser under GI Bill and opening own shop; story of emigrating to Australia in the 1960s and reasons for returning to GB; story of taking part in television programme about GI Brides, 1983; reflections on decision to marry American serviceman and live in US; story of religious and political beliefs changing after return from Australia.