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From: "joan reichardt" <>
Subject: The Half Million
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 16:52:10 -0700


It is a baking hot August Sunday afternoon here and I was sitting on my deck reading and having a cup of tea, when I looked up to see a young brown bear sitting, like a dog, at the end of my driveway!! Now this would not have happened if I had married a Brit and stayed in England. I have seen this bear before, bears love plums and pears, and I have a pear tree, so I think he is checking on the crop. Last year I got beaten by the wildlife, they got there first! Gardening here is a challenge. The deer regard my vegatable patch as an 'eat all you can' salad bar and enjoy a flower garnish, this year including petunias, and begonias, as well as the usual phlox and roses.
But that is not the reason for this email. The book I was reading is called The Half Million, the Canadians in Britain, by Stacey and Wilson. In the preface there is the story of a church in South Merstham, in Surrey, that was hit by a parachute mine in April 1941. The Vicar was severely injured and his sister killed. The Canadians stationed nearby built a 'church hut' using mostly salvaged materials and gave the people a temporary place of worship. What is interesting is that the first baptism was of Vivienne Gladys Tanner, who was the daughter of one of the Canadian soldiers who built the place. I wonder if she came to Canada, with her mum, and where she is today??? Anyone out there have any clues??It also says in this book that the first marriage between a Canadian and an English girl was on January 29th 1940, and the groom was a company sergeant major with the Saskatoon Light Infantry. No names given, but the wedding took place in Farnborough. Interesting book!
, a bit dry but worth reading. I have just finished Ship of Brides, the story of the Victorious and her cargo of Australian brides bound for England. Quite colourful at times and a bit of 'vivid imagination', but intrigueing, as there is a basis of truth, and I was unaware of this story. It reminded me of the film 'The War Bride' which seemed to me like a bunch of the more lurid tales cobbled together as if they all happened to one or two people. Oh, well, it is easy to be a critic!! Cheers, Joan Reichardt.

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