Memorabilia relating to the life of Jean Mavis Enwall

Date1942 - 1958

Object numberANMS0148

NameArchive series

MediumPaper

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Louis D'Alpuget

Terms

DescriptionThis collection relates to the life of Jean Mavis Enwall (nee Kennett) who was a Lieutenant in the Australian Army Medical Women's Service. She married Colonel Hayford Enwall, a US Army Officer, in 1944 and subsequently moved to America as a war bride. Up to 15,000 Australian women married or were engaged to Americans during WWII. When the war ended, women faced delays of up to 20 months to gain passage on a ship to San Francisco. The US War Department sent the Matson liners LURLINE, MONTEREY and MARIPOSA to carry Australian warbrides and their children to a new life in America. This series consists of 32 items. This includes two account statements; three books; four booklets; two handbooks; one identity card; one wedding invitation; one invitation card, three letters, one newspaper clipping, three notebooks, one passport, five photographs, one pocket book, one poster, one report, one telegram and one termination notice.HistoryDuring World War II between 12,000 and 15,000 Australian women married American servicemen. Some migrated and lived in the USA, while others returned to Australia in the years following the war, with or without their husbands. These women often encountered public scrutiny and disapproval for their decision to marry with many Australians, specifically men resentful of Americans 'taking their wives'. For many women, American servicemen filled the vacuum created by Australian men stationed overseas. During the campaign in the Pacific thousands of American troops were stationed in Australia, at a time when many of Australia’s young men were fighting in Europe and the Middle East.