Irene Coates and daughter Shirley

Alumni Type: War Bride
Country of Origin: England
Ship Name: Letitia
Port of Entry: Pier 21, Halifax
Date of Arrival: April 1946

I left my home with my 14-month-old baby Shirley Ann. We were mustered in an old house in London, sleeping on iron bunks. We left two days later for Liverpool, a port city. We traveled in trains. We waited at dockside until almost night. The crew had gone on strike - "More pay or more help." We slept in bunks; my daughter slept in a cot attached to the bunk with netting so she wouldn't fall. Washing facilities were limited. Food very good - after rationing it was lovely. My husband met me in Halifax! We traveled together to Moncton, N.B. We were met by his widowed mother, brother, sister, aunts & uncles. It was quite an event. Everyone was very helpful and kind. We were well looked after at Pier 21. The Red Cross offered assistance.

I came to Canada to live with my husband and bring up my child and hopefully have others. We loved one another and wanted to be together.

Photo below shows Irene and her husband Reginald on their wedding day, March 20, 1944