Mary Moir Cathcart

Memory of Pier 21, a story of friendship by Mary Cathcart

My friend, Grace Cadieux, also a London War Bride, and I were lucky enough to be able to change our cabins on the Queen Mary so that we could make the voyage together (the crew and stewards were kind and accommodating to us all).

When we arrived in Halifax after what was considered a very fast trip, Grace and I, because we had no children, had to stay aboard the "Queen" until the following day. Women and children were taken off first, and rightly so.

This gave Grace and me time to enjoy the beautiful summer day, walking the decks and breathing in the fresh air, which, because there was an offshore wind, smelled of pine trees. I believe there was a regatta going on in the harbour because we spent much of the time watching what seemed like hundreds of yachts tacking back and forth all around us. It was a wonderful introduction to our new country, Canada.

The next day we eagerly embarked to wait our turn in Pier 21. I remember we were asked to identify our luggage. I came with an old tin trunk, on which I had proudly painted my new married name in large white letters so it was easy to find. Grace was worried about her precious sewing machine. Finally the immigration officer checked our doctor's certificate and landing cards. It did not seem to take very long before we were being escorted to the trains. It was on my way to Fort Frances via Winnipeg while Grace went on to Burlington.

I would like to add that we stayed in touch until Grace was killed in a car accident in the 1980's. I was so glad I had travelled to see her in Peach Land, B.C. the year before her death. I miss her still. I remember waiting in line with the same section of Pier 21 as both our names began with "C". We were both off the wall with excitement at prospect of seeing our husbands again after being separated for seven months while we waited in England for transportation to Canada. My memory of being with Grace in Pier 21 is as fresh as when it happened on 23 July 1946.

I would like to include a word of thanks to the military and the Red Cross who made sure we got on the right train and there were people to meet us. Not knowing I was on my way, my husband Neil had driven his parents to visit his sister in Waterton Park, Alberta. With difficulty, the Red Cross located him there and amazingly, on that memorable day he was there to meet me in Winnipeg.

I lived in Fort Frances with my husband (a fur buyer) until after his death and I retired from the paper mill. In 1985, I came to live Windsor. The War Brides in Windsor did not hear of the train to Halifax commemorating our arrival until it was booked up. My daughter, Heather Wonham of Ottawa, has promised to take me to Halifax next summer to visit Pier 21. Grace, I know you will be with me there in spirit. I can hardly wait.

Mary Cathcart née Moir