By Andy Comber, December 13, 2006 -
Woodslee – Family, friends and community came together to honour local war brides at the Woodslee Friendship Club' Christmas Dinner, held at St. John’s Hall in Woodslee, Dec. 8.
"We're here to celebrate with all the war brides and their families," said Joanne McMurren, vice-president of the Woodslee Friendship Club, who welcomed the 125 people attending the event.
McMurren introduced several war brides who were able to attend, including Louise Bastien, Cecilia Burling, Eileen Lebert, Ruby Robertson, Margaret Smith, Eileen Stowe and Betty Wilton. Also in attendance were children and family members representing war brides from both World Wars.
Essex MPP Bruce Crozier presented honours to the war brides from the Province of Ontario, which proclaimed 2006 the Year of the War Bride, marking the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the majority of war brides in Canada.
"This is a thank you to all the war brides, who left their life behind for a new life in Canada," said Crozier, presenting certificates and pins to the war brides or surviving family members.
"Canada is a lot richer, because of you," he said.
The Woodslee Credit Union also presented a certificate to the local war brides and their families.
"We commend your determination and courage," said Paul Mullins, chair of Woodslee Credit Union's board of directors, speaking of the war brides’ decision to leave their homeland for a new life in Canada.
Essex resident Ruby Robertson, a war bride who landed at Halifax's famed Pier 21 in 1946 to begin a new life in Canada, thanked the Woodslee Friendship Club on behalf of the war brides.
"This large crowd was more than we ever expected," said Robertson.
Mayor Tom Bain presented further awards to war brides who resided in the municipality of Lakeshore.
The hall was filled with displays chronicling the life and experiences of the war brides.
"My husband resided in Amherstburg," said Louise Bastien, nee Gilbert, a war bride from Brussels, Belgium, who arrived in Halifax aboard the RMS Queen Mary on July 23, 1946.
"I thought to myself ... where am I going? There is nothing here. I came from the big city and I am in the middle of nowhere," said Bastien, "It was true love, because I've been here ever since."
"Since I was an only child, my parents followed me to Canada in October of 1947," she said.
Many in attendance were the children and grandchildren of war brides from both World Wars.
Paul Chevalier accepted the honours on behalf of his mother, Dorothy Chevalier, nee Nursey, who was an English wartime nurse. She met her husband Joseph during his recuperation after being wounded in the Battle of Ypres, during World War I. They were married in England on February 18, 1917. The couple lived and farmed on the Third Concession in Maidstone and were parents to 12 children.
Charles Trepanier accepted the honours for his sister-in-law, Audrey Trepanier, nee Hollowell, an English war bride who married Robert Trepanier on Oct. 11, 1947.
An estimated 48,000 British and European women met and married Canadian servicemen during the Second World War.
Canada's gain – In recognition of 2006 as the Year of the War Bride, local war brides were honoured at the Woodslee Friendship Club's Christmas Dinner, held at St. John's Hall in Woodslee, Dec. 8. Seated left to right, war brides Louise Bastien, Ruby Robertson, Margaret Smith, Betty Wilton and Cecilia Burling. Standing: Paul Chevalier accepting honours on behalf of Dorothy Chevalier, war bride Eileen Lebert, war bride Eileen Stowe, Charles Trepanier accepting for war bride Audrey Trepanier, Susan Holman accepting for war bride Margaret Plant, Essex MPP Bruce Crozier, Margaret Kramer accepting for war bride Marian Haines, and Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain.
