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Australian WWII war brides in America: their memories and experiences
thesis
posted on 2022-03-28, 22:42 authored by Robyn Anne ArrowsmithThis thesis is the first in-depth study of the experiences of Australian WWII war brides of American servicemen who went to live in post-war America. By drawing on the oral testimony of 60 of these women, their narrated memories create a rich archive which allows this cohort to articulate their individual wartime experiences and to place them within the context of the national wartime arena where their voices have not previously been heard. This study examines the power of public perceptions during wartime, and challenges the gendered myths and stereotypes relating to young women who married American servicemen. These women were thought to have married hastily before embarking on an adventurous journey to an exciting future in a new land. In extracting evidence from recorded interviews, this thesis reveals the stark realities the Australian war brides faced when they decided to marry an American serviceman, and clearly demonstrates how the experiences of this particular group of women differed greatly from the contemporary stereotypes. The archive created for this study shows the diversity of this cohort, and reveals how their migration experience differed from that of other war brides and other female immigrants to America. The war brides’ testimony uncovers the motivations which influenced their decisions to become US citizens, and the thesis examines their resourcefulness and pro-active approach in dealing with this, and many other challenges they faced, both in Australia and in America. The war brides’ maintenance of strong links with Australia over a sixty-year period shows an enduring attachment to their families and the land of their birth.
History
Alternative Title
Australian World War Two war brides in America: their memories and experiencesTable of Contents
Introduction -- 1. Meeting and falling in love: myths and romance -- 2. Red tape -- 3. 'Ladies in waiting': the long wait to join husbands and fiancés -- 4. Sailing to America -- 5. Arrival in America -- 6. Living in America - immigrants in a new land -- 7. Links with Australia -- 8. US citizenship for Australian WWII war brides -- Conclusion -- Appendices.Notes
“A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Modern History, Politics & International Relations, Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University, 2010” Bibliography: p. 340-362Awarding Institution
Macquarie UniversityDegree Type
Thesis PhDDegree
Thesis (PhD), Macquarie University, Faculty of Arts, Dept. of Modern History, Politics and International RelationsDepartment, Centre or School
Department of Modern HistoryYear of Award
2010Principal Supervisor
Jillian RoeAdditional Supervisor 1
Angela WoollacottAdditional Supervisor 2
Mary SpongbergRights
Copyright disclaimer: http://www.copyright.mq.edu.au/ Copyright Robyn Arrowsmith 2010Language
EnglishJurisdiction
Australia United StatesExtent
1 online resource (x, 362 p.) ill. (many col.), mapsFormer Identifiers
mq:20345 http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/177122Usage metrics
Categories
Keywords
World War, 1939-1945 -- Women -- BiographyWomen immigrants -- United States -- AnecdotesAustralia -- Foreign relations -- United StatesWomen immigrantsUnited States -- Emigration and immigration -- History -- 20th centuryWar brides -- United States -- BiographyWorld War, 1939-1945War brides -- United States -- AnecdotesUnited States -- Foreign relations -- AustraliaIntercountry marriage -- United States -- History -- 20th centuryWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Women -- AustraliaIntercountry marriageWar bridesWomen immigrants -- United States -- Biography