Did the doctors say whether or not you could still have children? Because if you can’t we’ll be fine. It isn’t the end of the world. I wondered if that was what you meant, though, reading between the lines. No matter what’s happened I still want us to be together. I have heard that now the war’s over they’ll start bringing more of us over on the bride ships, so it can’t be too long. I won’t have my job much longer, as the Americans are all headed home. Mum, Dad and Fred have moved down south, but I want to be here in case there’s a ship. Write again and tell me how things are. Wishing I was there to hold you.

Always yours,

S

Dear S,

Of course I still want you to come! I was just preparing myself for the idea that maybe you wouldn’t want to. I’m home, finally, in Roanoke. It’s all the same, which is strange, since I’m different. Not just different because of the war, but different because of us. They can’t tell yet about children. If I can’t, babe, I want you to think about this a little harder. I don’t want you to give up your dreams because of me.

Love,

R

On 12 December I got the telegram: in two weeks I would sail for America on the SS Mariposa. After landing in San Francisco I would be put on a train to Virginia, to Roy. I rang Dot and wrote a letter to Mum and Dad with the news. I telegrammed Roy and tried to push down my fear. There was even an article in the newspaper about the ship.

Sydney Morning Herald, 12 December 1945

Fitted out as a floating nursery, the liner and troopship Mariposa sailed from New York bound for Australia to pick up 1,200 wives and 400 children of American servicemen.

The surgery and medical wards have been converted into nurseries with special baby equipment, including 500 toys, 18,000 safety pins, and 20,000 paper diapers. It has playpens, bassinets and baby bathrobes. The brides and babies will be looked after by the Army until they are delivered right to their husbands.

The Army has created an organisation to handle every detail of transport of dependants of Americans from overseas—estimated to total 50,000 wives and 20,000 children. The first big batch of Australians is expected in San Francisco in early January. The Army will take charge of the girls on arrival, getting their baggage through Customs, then putting them on special trains under train commanders, with Red Cross girls and medical enlisted men to help. Telegrams at Government expense will be sent to the waiting husbands advising the date and time of wives’ arrival. All the husbands have to do will be to meet the train and take delivery of his wife after signing for her.

Mum rang to ask if I could still come down for Christmas.