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Memorabilia relating to the life of Donna and Joe Caldwell

Date1942 - 1945

Object numberANMS0351

NameArchive series

MediumPaper

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Donna Caldwell

Terms

DescriptionThis collection relates to Mrs Donna Caldwell (nee Griggs) and her voyage to America in 1945 as a war bride to be with her husband Fynus (Joe) Caldwell, a Corporal in the United States Army Air Corp. 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 19 items including one bank book, four cards, two certificates, one envelope, two invitations, two menus, one newspaper, one army tag, four telegrams and one railway ticket.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.