Transplanted

This story is submitted by Elaine Stoesz, an Area Counsellor in Saskatoon. It is from Ethyl M. Land of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan.

"In September 1943, Ross Land and I got engaged but before we could get married he got polio and was invalided back to Canada.

In October 1944, I was given 48 hours to make up my mind about sailing NOW or waiting until the end of the war and taking my chance with 40,000 War Brides and their children.

Having worked for four years in the office of a Glasgow shipyard, I knew all about convoys, U-boats and enemy aircraft, etc., but at the end of a week I found myself on board The Queen Mary crossing the Atlantic with no escorts.

We arrived in New York five days later – full of wonderful food, all our luggage, and the $40.00 we were allowed to bring out of Britain. From there, I made my way to Winnipeg where my sister met me. I had 50 cents left. Ross came to Winnipeg and after we were married we left for Shellbrook by bus.

Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, population at that time 497. No running water, no doctor, no houses to rent and outside toilets. We did have a good school and wonderful people and churches to suit everyone.

The Legion sponsored showers and parties to welcome all the War Brides who came later. We started our Legion Auxiliary and now we have a population of about 1300 and all modern conveniences including a hospital and four doctors. Hard work and magic I think."