Gladys Long and son George T. Long

I was a war bride widow and my baby boy and I landed in Halifax on February 14, 1945 aboard the ship Aquatania carrying war injured servicemen and us war brides. It was not a very pleasant or memorable crossing as we did a zig-zag every 8 minutes across the ocean. Even the crew were sea-sick. I travelled with Hugh and Barbara Bartley from Hull, East Yorkshire leaving from Prestwick in Scotland. When I landed, I was Gladys Long and son Geroge Thomas Long. I mourned for my beloved husband George Albert Long who had been killed four months before so I did not have much recollection of the day I landed in Canada.

After six years a widow, I remarried and was give a second chance of happiness with Edwin Wirsch and had a family of two boys and a daughter. Life was very good until my husband passed away in 1993. I had 43 very good years and now alone.

Thank God for bringing us over the sea, away from the bombing, the rationing and uncertainty of wondering if we would see the next day. So many memories and so little time to tell all that happened t us in WWII.