The Immigration of British War Brides

In the middle to late 1940s, Canada received a great influx of British immigrants. Numbering 48,000, these young women were brides who had wed the nation’s servicemen. Although they came unprepared for the land that would become their new home and faced huge culture shock upon disembarking, Canada’s spirited war brides inevitably transformed the culture that surrounded them. Now, around sixty-five years later, one in thirty Canadians can count a war bride in their family tree (Jarratt, 2009). Through determination to stay in Canada despite huge culture shock, sheer hard work, and despite their hasty marriages, the British war brides of the Second World War have, and are continuing though new generations, impacted the Canadian culture of today.

During the war, army regulations and rationing made it extremely difficult for soldiers to marry. Marriage of soldiers to civilians was not encouraged by commanding officers; in fact, it was forbidden in most cases (Jarratt, 2009). This rule was not heeded by many Canadian soldiers; it was difficult to forbid any young man to pursue love, especially under the circumstances provided by the Second World War. Because many young British soldiers were in all corners of Europe, it is unsurprising that the young women of Britain turned to the Canadians when they arrived. Emotions seemed heightened by the war and relationships blossomed. Quite often, couples were engaged within months after meeting because of the uncertainty of the times. Their hastiness was hindered, though, by the many army regulations imposed. “Forms had to be filled out, appointments made, medical exams taken… A Canadian serviceman had to obtain permission to marry from his commanding officer before a wedding date could be set...

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.... They built themselves a life in Canada and now one in thirty Canadians can proudly claim to have a war bride in their family.

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