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Archiver > WARBRIDES > 2005-01 > 1106277682


From: "brian w. zelley" <>
Subject: 1941 - 1945: WAR BRIDES
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 19:21:22 -0800


"Through the eyes of a war brides' child" - By Brian Zelley

As we search for interesting topics for this Nanaimo site, the
background
and birth location of our ancestors is very important for the
"tapestry of Nanaimo Life" and the rich heritage of British Columbia,
Canada and the United States. One such group was the "War Brides" of
WW II.

As the son of a war bride, I belong to a War Brides mail list which is
very
interesting. Most of the war brides that married Canadians were from
England, Scotland, Wales. Holland and Italy. But, there are available
statistics that can be considered for another day.

Although I am unable to tell a direct story about "war brides", I guess
I could tell a few stories "through the eyes of a war brides' child".

For some war brides, they came to Canada or the USA during or shortly
after the war while others waited a few years into the early to
mid-Fifties.
In some cases children were born in both countries.

Then again, no story is all "peaches & cream"! For some "war brides"
they were left high and dry in the old home town watching & waiting.
Others were left widows with small children when their soldier boy
or fly boy fell in battle. Also, there were sad cases of
"war brides" coming to the New World only to return to the old home
town for a variety of reasons. Years later, a few of the children in
the old home towns would begin the search of discovery of their
unknown North American family history - a combination of joy and
sadness, laughter or tears - they would reach out to defeat their fears.

For those that found a new life in the new land from Vancouver Island
in the Pacific Northwest to the Maritimes or Eastern Seaboard of the
USA,
they have,( through their combined efforts and the spirit of adventure
passed onto the children and grandchildren), shed bright light
onto the glorious "tapestry of North America".




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