First (and Second) Impressions
came to Canada as War Brides during and after the Second World. When she was just out of school her Dad had told her she was to have nothing to do with the Canadian soldiers, who were stationed nearby.
Meanwhile when Lorne Brown enlisted, his Mother told him that he wasn't to bring one of those English girls back to Canada.
Then, as now, young people don’t always listen.
Vera met Lorne at a dance on New Year's Eve, 1944. They were married on July 7th, 1945. Lorne returned to Canada in February of 1946 and Verna joined him in May.
Some excerpts from “Bridging Brenda” tell the story in her words. The Journey “ There looked to be hundreds of other young girls doing the same thing.” “We had white bread and I mean white bread, we had almost forgotten what real white bread looked like, they also had creamed corn something we had never seen before. I didn't really care for it and I still don't like it too well. “ “After we docked, we were taken through customs then onto another train, which was to take us across Canada. It seemed to go on and on forever.” “At last we pulled in to Winnipeg. As we slowed down, I was looking out the window and there was Lorne running along beside the train. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had booked a hotel room, so we spent a few days in Winnipeg, then on the train once more to Waskada, May 29, 1946.” Life on the Prairies “ my sister-in-law started talking about a shower which was to be held for me, l couldn't figure it out, and to make matters worse they got a kick out of telling me I had to make a speech to thank the ladies. This is something that isn't done in England. “
“l soon got used to the outdoor toilet and bathing in a tin tub Saturday night, and of course heating the water on the stove.” “During my first winter we had to use the team and sleigh. One nice Sunday Lorne thought we should go and visit his cousin. The snow was quite rotten by now and the horses had quite a time keeping on track and finally we upset. We had the baby in the carriage. I was scared silly, but Lorne got things straightened out.” “With three little girls to look after I didn't have time to be homesick, but used to wonder if I would ever get back home. This became a reality in 1965, 19 years since I came to Canada. Between the telephone and airplanes, home doesn't seem so far away any more and my sister has been here three times. Sources:
Canadian War Brides http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/canadian-war-brides Brenda History Committee. Bridging Brenda Vol. 1. Altona. Friesen Printers, 1990
Chance encounters, local social events and dances ensured that Canadian servicemen met the young women in nearby cities, towns and villages all over the United Kingdom. Inevitably, many fell in love.
Upon arriving in Canada, brides and their children could travel by special war bride trains bound for various points across Canada. Husbands and families were notified of arrival times. Many brides marveled at the vastness of their new land. For some, the journey to the Prairies and to the West Coast took several days, and seemed almost never ending.
