Hendrikje Scheffers Merkley

I am a War Bride. My country, Holland, was invaded in May 1940 by the Germans. For five years it was horrible. There was so much sadness and fear; never knowing when fathers or brothers would be picked up in the night to be sent to Germany, some never returning. Then, in the spring of 1945, the liberators came: CANADIANS .They rolled in to my village on big tanks looking well fed and healthy. What a beautiful sight and to this day it stands vivid in my memory. No more curfews and an end to the war. I was then 18 years old. After a few weeks the Canadians settled in and became friends of the Dutch.

I met my Canadian soldier who was stationed in a school. They had dances and fun - something we did not have for a long time. On June 25, 1945 I met Ken, a kind and handsome man. We were married on October 27 with permission from the Canadian army. Ken's unit pulled out of the village in November 1945. I then had to wait for my turn to come to Canada. I left Holland in August, 1946 after a lot of waiting in a place in Holland where more war brides also waited to go on a ship. I took the Lady Rodney to England to wait again for more brides to go on a train to Southampton and from there I departed on the Queen Mary. The ship was large and the food was so good. I got seasick for three days so that spoiled it.

We landed in Halifax in the evening and stayed on the ship until morning and then walking down to the train, kind Red Cross ladies gave us coffee and I think doughnuts. The train was long and there were a lot of war brides - some with babies and small children. The train was off to Montreal. That is where I said goodbye to my friends from Holland; they were going to Southern Ontario and four girls, myself included, went to Northern Ontario. For three days and nights we were in that train. Again there was excellent food and care. We finally reached Port Arthur. My husband was waiting and the train was three hours late. He looked different - no uniform- and he took me to his home. His parents had invited some friends over and had a table set up with sandwiches and cakes. They all were so kind. The next day we went for a drive (my husband had the day off). He asked if I wanted a hotdog. I had no idea what that was but it was not too bad. There was so much to learn in such a big country.

My husband built our first home with very little money and after doing a day's work. In 1947 a girl was born followed by two boys. In 1948 my parents and younger sister immigrated to Canada. My life in this big country was good. My husband and I travelled back to Holland many times to the liberation celebrations. My family has done well and although I love Canada, I still love Holland and love to go there. It still has a big spot in my heart and I often think back on how one thing in a person's life can change so many people's lives. One thing I thought while sitting in that train was wondering if I would ever get to my husband. I also wondered how the women got their washing on those high clothes lines. We never saw that in Holland.

I am now alone again. My husband passed away two years ago after a long illness. I miss him but remember all the good times and I am glad I came to this country.