The Not So Happy War Brides

In the light of recent events in the USA, it is interesting to note that, following World War II, when British war brides prepared to follow their G.I. husbands to America, they were treated with the utmost barbarity. Before they left Britain they were taken to an American army base where they were subjected to various intrusive medical investigations to ensure that they were not suffering from venereal disease. Once they had been vetted, they were packed into ships with very few comforts and, it was widely alleged that many babies died of dysentery en route. On their arrival they were deloused and subjected to another medical examination before being allowed to join their husbands. For some, worse was to follow, but, as this Pathe newsreel shows, others finally found happiness:

The band Squeeze wrote a song about the same subject in 1981:

And the winners are...

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition to win a free audioversion of "The Innocence of Kaiser Wilhelm II"

The winners were chosen at random (not by me!) and are:

J. Kerrigan from the United States, who wrote, "I think that I have read all of your books and my favorite is "Dear Papa, Beloved Mama" because it gave me a real sense of what life was like for the children growing up in Queen Victoria's family."

and...Richard Chester from the United Kingdom, who wrote, "So far I have only read your Shattered Crowns trilogy but enjoyed it so much that I have several of your other books, including, 'The Innocence of Kaiser Wilhelm', on my wish list."

Congratulations to the winners! And thank you again to everyone who entered!