Jeannie Lynn Rees

My Mother, Jeannie Lynn Rees, born Jeannie Lynn Thomson, was a beautiful, young (only 16 years old), Glaswegian lass. My father Harold Melville Rees, was a handsome, charming, funny Canadian in the RCAF. They met in a dance hall in Glasgow, called the Locarno, and were married on July 25, 1945. After a brief honeymoon in Aberdeen, Dad returned to Canada on a troopship, and to his home in Vancouver. Mom had to stay behind until she could be booked passage on a "War Brides' Ship".

In May of 1946, she left her family behind, in Glasgow, to go to Liverpool. There she boarded the 'Latetia' and sailed to Halifax, docking at Pier 21. In Halifax she was put on the train to Vancouver, making stops all across the country to let other "brides" disembark.

At 17 years old, my mother, Jeannie Lynn Rees, was the youngest war bride to come to Canada. By having her name inscribed on the Wall of Service I am paying tribute to her courage. I am in awe at what she did in 1946, and admire her for her courage.

My father passed away on April 12, 2000. My mother followed him on April 24, 2004.