Thursday, 26 August 2010 11:15 | Carla @ The Ring

WAR BRIDES: A British gal and a nice Canadian chap

The full story of the events leading up to the marriage between Mavis and George, as told by war bride herself, Mavis Kenmir.

Tuesday, 20th July, 1943 was the day we met, in a photographer's studio in Newcastle England while waiting for our pictures to be developed. We chatted and exchanged names, and where I lived (Spennymoor, County Durham, 20 miles south of Newcastle). We made a date to meet again (8 pm on Wednesday at Durham Railway Station). I was there, but the Canadian soldier did not arrive. So, "that's the end of that", I thought.

Friday morning, 23rd July, 1943, I was doing some house work for my mother (wearing my apron! See photo, right). There was a knock at the front door, and - surprise - the Canadian soldier stood there! It seems that his train from Edinburgh (on Wed. night) was a 'stop-at-every-station' train, and he had arrived in Durham an hour too late for our date. But, he was determined to see me again, and found his way, by bus, to our address.

We spent the day with my family, and a meeting was arranged for Saturday, 24th July, at Newcastle, and then we were to go to the seaside at Whitley Bay (pictured below, left). And this time, all went well, except that my mother and two younger brothers came also! It was a good day of fun, and he was invited to come home with us until his leave ended on Sunday, 25th July. He kissed me only once, to say "good-bye".

The second meeting was 21st April, 1945. George was a driver-mechanic with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, and had spent the last 20 months in Sicily Italy, France, Belgium and Holland. His job had been to carry supplies (guns and ammunition, etc.) to the "Front Line".

We had corresponded as friends, and got to know each other through our letters. During that one week's leave, our friendship grew somewhat.

The next, and third meeting, was 20th July, 1945 (two years since our first meeting), and on this leave, George proposed marriage and I accepted. We planned the wedding for 3rd November, 1945.

Alas! "The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley". George was supposed to come on leave on 1st November, but this was cancelled twice before he arrived on 7th November. Canadian Army H.Q. mislaid our permission to marry. The church minister lost our marriage license. (Was there a message in these delays?)

There was no rehearsal and George had never been to a wedding in his life. His response to the minister's questions was with an "uh-huh" when we finally got married on Tuesday, 13th November, 1945 (pictured below).

The bride's gown was borrowed, as were the gowns of the two bridesmaids (not coordinated colours - one was pink and the other was blue). The groom wore his only suit - his uniform. My parents and three brothers and the best man wore their "Sunday best".

As I walked down the aisle, I questioned myself - "Do I really love this man?" and my answer was: "Well, he's a really nice chap, and I'm sure we'll get along together alright!"

I don't know how my mother managed the reception for this on-again-off-again day-by-day event, but she did succeed in putting on a very nice spread. Sandwiches, a variety of cakes and pies, and a lovely homemade wedding cake from our meager rations, plus donations of sugar, butter and other ingredients from friends, relatives and neighbours.

Friends and relatives also donated a few precious clothing coupons to me, for my 'going away' outfit, which was a brown harris-tweed suit, a pale blue crepe-de-chine blouse, and a hat (see right). I thought this hat looked very smart in 1945. Now, I think it looks like a bird's nest with the bird still in it!

Our one week honeymoon was a bit of a "wash out" (literally) as November in Edinburgh is, and was, cold, rainy and foggy. Everything except the zoo was closed for the season. So, after we'd seen the monkeys, etc., we decided to go home on 17th November, and back to the barracks in Southern England for George.

He had a brief weekend leave in December prior to returning to Canada sailing on the Queen Elizabeth from Southampton, 4th January, 1946 to New York, and then on to Winnipeg, Manitoba, arriving home 19th January, 1946.

Eight months later, I was notified on 5th August, 1946, to sail from Southampton on 8th August, 1946. I arrived "down on the farm" in Cartwright, Manitoba, 20th August, 1946. The end of our wedding story, and the start of a new life!

Post-script: Looking back to 13th November, 1945, I did do the right thing by marrying George, and we did get along together just fine. George died peacefully in his sleep in February 2009, close to his 94th birthday.

Luckily, I have always been an optimist, which helped through trials and challenges, and will keep on trying to live to this philosophy: "make the most of everyday and keep a cheerful attitude."

Photographs above by Denise Bélanger of C’est Chic! Photography (www.cestchicphoto.com)

Wedding gifts of 1945

My parents gave me a dressing gown (never had one before!), and the wedding. From Great Aunt Maud, a 3 piece hand-crocheted set of doilies (still in use). Everyone else gave money, ranging from £2 to £5 (£5 was the highest amount from Grandparents, and Great Uncle Ernest who owned a factory).

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