Jean DeShane - Stories About the Canadian War Brides of World War Two, weddings, marriages

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Home > War Bride Stories > Jean (Imrie) Deshane

My name is Jean (Imrie) Deshane and this is my story.

My husband and I met in the Atheneum Club at a dance, where he ruined my new dress by spilling a coke on it.

We corresponded regularly and every time he got leave he came to Glasgow. He asked to marry me, and in the good old-fashioned way, he asked my parents consent.

We planned to marry in June, 1944, but the Army had other plans for that June: my husband landed on the shores of Normandy on D-day. In the meantime I had had been called for the Army. He kept thinking he was going to get leave and I had a pass made out all ready to go many times before he finally got leave in January 1945 and he turned up at my camp.

My C.O. just altered my pass yet again and we set off for home. We had quite a time convincing the M.P's that my pass was legimate when we changed trains in Birmingham but we made it home.

I had to stand on the steps of the Church while the Minister rounded up three persons to listen to the Banns. That was the law back then in Scotland - the Banns had to be called three times before it was legal to be married, even in war-time. We couldn't make any arrangements to have a meal anywhere because of the rush and so we had a "fish & chip" dinner for as many people as we could cram into our living room in our home. Also we couldn't get into a hotel so we spent the first night of our married life in my own bedroom, with Mum and Dad right next door!

My husband came home before I got over here and I came on the Aquitania in March 1946. I came from the city to a farm no electric light, no inside toilet, no phone. It was a real experience! I wondered what I had gotten myself into, like so many others did.

I have had a good life, I regret that my husband died when he was just getting ready to retire. I have three fine children, of whom I am very proud and have done and seen many things I would not have the opportunity to do if I had not married a fine "Canadian soldier".

I have gone back to Scotland many times, but I am always just as glad to come back to Canada as I was when we first sighted Halifax that first time so long ago.

Jean

You can contact Jean by E-Mail at jenny@reach.net