WAR BRIDES
World War II began on September 3, 1939, when Britain declared war on Germany in response to Hitler's invasion of Poland. Shortly after that, the British Admiralty sent a request to Newfoundland for 625 volunteers for the Royal Navy. The first Naval Draft of 206 men, drawn from all parts of Newfoundland, left for Britain on November 27, 1939. A similar proclamation calling for volunteers for the Royal Artillery was made in February 1940 and 400 men left Newfoundland on April 14th. The First Draft for the Royal Air Force Ground Staff left on June 14, 1940 and the First Draft of the Royal Air Force Flight Crew left Newfoundland on August 22, 1940. Many other men volunteered with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Others followed, including men for the Newfoundland Forestry Unit.
Many of these young men met their future wives in Great Britain when they visited service clubs, recreation centers and village halls near where they were stationed during training before taking on their military duties throughout Europe and even Africa. They would be separated for varying lengths of time throughout the war, keeping in touch through letters, before meeting up again when the war ended. In most cases, marriages took place in England before the men were shipped home, with their War Brides, some with children, following by ocean voyage some months later.
Many of these young men met their future wives in Great Britain when they visited service clubs, recreation centers and village halls near where they were stationed during training before taking on their military duties throughout Europe and even Africa. They would be separated for varying lengths of time throughout the war, keeping in touch through letters, before meeting up again when the war ended. In most cases, marriages took place in England before the men were shipped home, with their War Brides, some with children, following by ocean voyage some months later.