| Accession Number | AWM2019.1264.27 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | |
| Place made | Australia: New South Wales, Sydney |
| Date made | 1947 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Women aboard the SS Marine Phoenix, a 'Bride Boat' transporting passengers to the United States ...
Description
Women aboard the SS Marine Phoenix, a 'Bride Boat' transporting passengers to the United States of America. Among the embarked passengers is Maud Josephine Hebert (nee Tyrrell).
Maud met Clovis ‘Cliff’ Hebert while he was serving as a Cook in the 197th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiment of the New Hampshire National Guard, part of the United States Army. Cliff arrived in Townsville in August 1942, working as a camp cook in his garrison. Cliff and Maud began dating under the supervision of family members. Their courtship included fresh donuts on Sunday, which had been cooked by Cliff in the garrison kitchens. Cliff proposed to Maud in 1945, but was reposted to New Guinea before their planned wedding.
When the Second World War concluded, Maud applied to travel to the United States of America to join Cliff. There were around 15,000 women who left Australia to live overseas with their spouses, with more than two thirds moving to the United States of America. Maud departed Sydney on 14 April 1947, aboard the ‘Bride Boat’ SS Marine Phoenix. She was reunited with Cliff and married on 28 June 1947 in Laconia, New Hampshire.