War Brides

Thousands of romances bloomed between Canadian servicemen and British and European women during the Second World War (1939-1945). The more than 48,000 women (most British) who married their Canadian sweethearts and journeyed overseas to Canada were known as war brides.

September 10, 1945 - War brides on board the aircraft carrier Reaper as it enters the harbour at Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The Canadian federal government provided free one-way trips for the war brides. To carry the brides and their children to Canada, they employed huge troop ships that had been especially outfitted, and converted luxury liners such as the famous "Queen Mary." Upon arrival in Nova Scotia, many brides were then transported by train throughout the nation.

 

RMS Queen Mary

These women left everything and everyone they knew behind to start a new life. Some of them never saw their homeland again.

Many war brides were unprepared for the culture shock of their adopted homeland. Women who had grown up in cities found themselves on farms with no running water, electricity or indoor plumbing. Suddenly, they were expected to milk cows and bale hay. Others arrived in small villages where life meandered along at a different pace and everyone knew your business. Some were embraced by their new families while others would always remain outsiders. Many would be teased for their accents and different customs. And, of course, Canadian winters came as a complete surprise to them.

The war brides were brave women, taking a chance on love in a new country. They are part of Canada's immigration story. 

Tomorrow, we'll meet a war bride who married a descendant of John Culbert and Mary Ward.

War brides en route to Canada aboard S.S. Letitia waving goodbye to families and friends. Credit: Barney J. Gloster/Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-175794