Joan May Brister Caswill

This is my recollection of my relocation to Canada as a war bride, and my arrival through Pier 21. Although time has erased or clouded many of the events which took place some 57 years ago, other aspects are as clear as yesterday. I am pleased to share them in this fashion, as my son has now relocated to Halifax and my beloved husband, Robert Charles Caswill, whom I married in England on April 7, 1945 and was travelling to Canada to be reunited with, passed away this past October at the age of 87.

I left England from Southampton on February 25 1946 on the Aquatania. I remember quite clearly the trip down to Southampton, and looking back at Westminister Abbey and Big Ben saying that I'll always remember that sight quite fondly - obviously I was right.

I think 1300 war brides were on board, and I believe we were told that was the largest group of us sailing to that date. We arrived at Pier 21 on March 2nd or 3rd. All of us were destined for Western Canada, where we were joining our new husbands. I had last seen Bob almost 10 months ago, on May 8th, 1945 (which of course was V-E day), which was only one month after our wedding.

I remember the ship was still fitted out for carrying troops, with about 8 bunks in each cabin. With 8 cabin mates, all in different states about their future in a new country, we had little time for privacy and worrying about what might lie ahead! I don't recall how the cabins were allocated, but some of my cabin mates had babies etc.

The Captain told us our voyage was one of the calmest for that time of year, when the North Atlantic could be especially stormy. His assurances did little for those who could not stomach the seas. Although many got sea sick during the voyage, I was lucky and was able to help the more unfortunate ones. Quite an experience for a 21 year old who hadn't ever been out of London!

On the voyage, those of us who were not sea sick sat on the deck, looking forward to our new lives. Arriving in Halifax and Pier 21, and onto trains to meet our husbands or new in-laws! It was a long but exciting trip, with much anticipation about our new lives. For some it was also going to be quite an adjustment - I remember the train stopping in the middle of the night in Northwestern Ontario at a remote station, where one of the girl's new family was on horseback, ready to meet their son's new bride!

On the train trip, I met several women who, like me, were going to Winnipeg. We excitedly shared what information we had gleamed about our new city - I remember a discussion that Del's Ice Cream Parlor in St. James was the big place to be seen!

I still stay in touch with two of my traveling companions over 56 years later. We found Canada a new and wonderful home, that even the Guide to The New Canadian Housewife could not adequately prepare us for (I still have my copy of the book, and laugh at the advice which in that day was appropriate but now would be considered much of it hopelessly inappropriate!). While there were large periods of time we never saw each other, as we became busy with our new husbands and starting and raising our families, our shared experiences as war brides arriving in Halifax at Pier 21 will always tie us together.

In 2003, I visited my son and his wife in Halifax and toured the museum one afternoon. The flood of memories was almost too much for me to take in, and I promised myself to return to experience it again in smaller doses. It is a wonderful place with many remembrances for all who arrived at the port so many years ago.