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Can you help Shirley-Jean Rail? (Feb 2006)
I am a Canadian searching for Edith McAllister (maiden name) who married my French Canadian uncle Joseph Rail, born Mattawa, Ontario, Cda on 27 March 1920. His parents (my grandparents) were Michel (Michael) Rail & Catherine Gauvin (maiden name).
When his father (my grandfather died in September 1941, he and another brother (who was wounded later in 1944 and sent back home), immediately joined the war effort.
Uncle Joe's military gravestone in Mattawa Ontario is inscribed "Highland Light Military of Canada". I believe he married Edith McAllister between 1942 & 1946 in the UK. They had a son and I think his first name was Christopher but I'm not sure. He would be my cousin and would be about 60 years old now.
I have only just recently found out Aunt Edith's maiden name. She came to Canada on the Queen Mary in 1945 but only stayed a few months. She didn't like the climate & returned to her home. She never came back. When the War was over, Uncle Joe came home to Canada and to my knowledge never went back overseas. He also never married again. He must have never forgot his wife though cause she is listed on his church death certificate in 1995 as his spouse. That's how I found out her maiden name.
I would ever so dearly love to find her if she is still alive - she would be about 80-85 now and her son, my cousin, would be about 60. If they wish, I could tell them about Uncle Joe after the war, I have a photo of his gravestone & a few other photos, and a copy of his death certificate. They may also be entitled to Cdn Vet's survivor insurance benefits. My only memory of her was her accent, her bright smile, and she was pretty. My grandmother and my mother really liked her, made her very welcome, and were so sorry when she left Canada. She was Godmother to my baby sister in August 1945 while she was here so she must have come over on the Queen Mary earlier that year. Debbie Beavis' website just says she left Southhampton in 1945 and arrived in Halifax Canada. She was listed as Edith Rail (her married name). Unfortunately, my budget (as a single senior on a very tiny pension) doesn't allow me to purchase any further info on this site.
I have met a very kind woman on the Weddings Past & Present site who is trying to help me. It would be a big help if we could narrow the seaarch down if I knew where Aunt Edith came from. I now think she was English because the Canadian regiment Uncle Joe was with was The Highland Light Infantry of Canada, 9th Cdn Infantry Brigade, 3rd Cdn Infantry Divion - I Corps. The Stormont Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders and The North Nova Scotia Highlanders (both from Canada) were also part of the same regiment. One war website says they were on the "coast of Sussex" from the Autumn of 1941 until June 1943 - left June 27/43 and arrived in Sicily on July 10/43. Another site says they were in "Aldershot" on July 1941. The next info I have found is that they were the tail end of the assault on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944 called Operation Overlord and they also liberated Knokke, Belgium in Nov 1944.
(1) Does anyone out there know of anyone who also travelled to Halifax on the Queen Mary in the first 6 months of 1945 who might have known Edith Rail? Could she have been an Aldershot girl?
(2) Does anyone out there know of anyone who also was part of the same regiment as my uncle and might have known Private Joe Rail?
(3) Does anyone know where this regiment (The Highland Light Infantry of Canada & the Stormont & Dundas Glengarry Highlanders & the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, all of the 9th Cdn Infantry Brigade - 3rd Cdn Infantry Division I Corps, was posted in the UK and Europe from late 1941 untill the end of the war.
The reason for my desparation is because I am the only one left alive who can tell my cousin about his father (my uncle) and I am nearing the end of my road as I am in very serious health even though I am only 67. So, you see, time is not on my side. I would sincerely appreciate any help anyone can offer or suggest. Thank you for your patience in reading this long mssge.
Shirley-Jean
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Gwen Zradicka
Gwen has emailed us with the following:
"I have often thought about another British warbride, who also came to Wadena, Sask, Canada. Her married name was Fransen, first name Betty.
We both left Wadena for a while and Betty and I took a practical nursing course in Winnipeg in 1946.
We became good friends, but unfortunately, Betty was forced to go back to England with her infant daughter and we lost touch. I don't know what her maiden name was. Her husband's name was Howard Fransen. I think that they were married in the Midlands.
Betty would be the same age as me, about 81."
If you recognise this surname or the lady concerned please contact Gwen through this website.
Another message from Gwen
"I had such a surprise on Sunday when I was contacted by another warbride, who sailed on the Empress of Scotland, at the same time as I did.
We left Gourich, Scotland, on July 24th 1944, and arrived at Pier 21 on August 1st.
Mary Skidmore is the first person that has contacted me in all these years (61) and she lives in White Rock, B.C. and I live in Richmond, B.C.
We will be meeting soon to exchange memories of that awful trip across the Pacific ocean!!
Mary's son had found the website "Weddings Past and Present"
We are pleased to have been a part of this reunion, and hope that all goes well for both of you. Gwen would also like to hear from other war brides who also sailed on the Empress of Scotland on July 24th 1944
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Susan - War Bride Child
I have been trying to find any living relatives of my mother who passed away December 2001.
She was born in Blythe, England December 27, 1925. She had an older sister, Doreen Moore (nee Hill), an older brother James Hill and a younger brother Edward Hill. Her parents were James & Mary Hill, both deceased.
She was in the English army in WW11 stationed in southern England where she met my father, Bill Easton.
They were married Oct, 1945. She had lied about her age to get into the army (I think it was the WRENS). She was only 19. She came to Canada aboard the Letitia in April, 1946 and I was born August, 1946.
We were in contact with her family until 1971. She and my aunt had an argument and that was that! She wouldn't talk about it with me and I lost contact as well. She asked for her younger brother, Edward, before she died.
I have contacted a few Doreen Moore's from a list I was given from another site. No luck as yet. I have a feeling that she may be gone. She would be 82-85 years of age. I also contacted 2 Edward Hill's one responded that he was not my uncle and the other never replied.
Anyway, if you can be of any help it would be fantastic. I would so love to be in touch again with my long lost family members.
Cheers from Canada,
Susan
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Joy - WWII War Bride
Joy would like help with the following:
I am searching for a female relative who married an American/Canadian Serviceman, possibly an Officer in the UK 1943-44/45, his name is unknown to me. Her name was Deirdre Dubarry (maiden name) and would have been in her 30's then. Although she has probably passed away by now, I would dearly love to hear from her children.
If you recognise the name and can help Joy in her search please make contact through this website
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David Kerr is looking for......... 28/08/03
David Kerr is trying to track down his aunt Dot (Doreen) who was originally Doreen Meredith. She went from Middlesbrough, England in about 1947 (his mother told him that he was just a baby at that time - born July 1947) to New York to be reunited with her wartime sweetheart, Lennie Thomas. She had met Lennie when he was in England with the U.S. Army.
Dot (Doreen) was a very good dancer/acrobat and was a professional entertainer during some or all of the war.
David believes that she lived in Brooklyn and had 5 children. Lennie died at a relatively young age and contact between his mother and her sister ultimately was lost.
If anyone can help David, please contact him through this web site. he would be very grateful for any help you can give.
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