World War II War Brides
A war bride is a woman who marries a man that is active in serving their country during the time
of marriage. In most cases, war brides were married during World War II. The reason why many European women became war brides (almost all of them being British) is due in part to Canada being among the first countries to assist Britain ("Canadian War Brides", 1999). Just 43 days after the war started, the first marriage took place between a Canadian soldier and a British woman in the Aldershot area ("Canadian War Brides", 1999).
If you would like to check to see if you have a family member that was at one time a war bride, you can check at: http://www.findmypast.com/
of marriage. In most cases, war brides were married during World War II. The reason why many European women became war brides (almost all of them being British) is due in part to Canada being among the first countries to assist Britain ("Canadian War Brides", 1999). Just 43 days after the war started, the first marriage took place between a Canadian soldier and a British woman in the Aldershot area ("Canadian War Brides", 1999).
If you would like to check to see if you have a family member that was at one time a war bride, you can check at: http://www.findmypast.com/
 | Top left photograph: photographs of War Brides with Canadian Soldiers on their wedding days in World War II. On display at the 8th Hussars Museum. |
| Photograph to the right: This footlocker belonged to Rick Lockhart's grandmother, Catherine Eva Ross. She was married to Rick's grandfather, John and came to Canada with Ricks Mom in tow. She had been born in England. |  |
Most war brides were young but optimistic. Money was tight during war times, so people like Ruby Gray got creative. Ruby Gray is a war bride that resides in Sussex, New Brunswick. Her dress is displayed at the museum in the war bride case and the dress itself has an interesting story behind it.
Ruby created a dress out of a parachute. As stated, money was tight so women would use any material they could to create their own wedding dresses. One night, a German mine landed and the area was quartered off. Ruby snuck in late at night and stole the German parachute which she sewed into a dress. The dress comes with a horseshoe necklace that says "good luck" on it.
Many war brides are still alive today to tell their own stories. If you happen to know a war bride with an interesting story to tell, stop into the museum. All stories are welcome!