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(Coral) Eswyn Lyster (nee Ellinor) was born in London, England but when war broke out in 1939 her father, who had served during World War I, moved the family to the 'safer' confines of the country in Sussex. Unfortunately the 'safer' area came to be known as Buzzbomb Alley.2
Coral Eswyn Lyster (nee Ellinor) with a group of WRENS and others1941
England
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At seventeen Eswyn moved back to London with a friend to work.Eswynn first found work in the office of a plant that produced airplane parts but decided to sign up as a WREN before she was assigned work under new wartime legislation that required registration of all ablebodied women between the ages of 18 - 35.
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Eswyn Lyster with a group of friends1941
England
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WRENS on parade1941
England
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Page from Eswyn Lyster's autograph book.24 September 1942
England
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Eswyn was assigned to the certificate office at Hambledon House where she worked from 1941 to 1943.While in the certificate office Eswynn kept an autograph book which was signed by friends, coders, and workmates.
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Page from Eswyn Lyster's autograph book.December, 1942
England
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On August 21, 1943 Eswyn married William L. Lyster of the Calgary Highlanders and shortly after became pregnant. Women could not work once they began a family so Eswyn temporarily moved back with her parents until she could immigrate to Canada. On February 5, 1946 Eswyn boarded the Mauritania in Liverpool to sail for Canada as one of two thousand warbrides aboard ship. It was the first crossing with an all warbride passenger list.10
Eswyn Lyster on her wedding day.1943
Aldwick, Sussex, England
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Eswyn was introduced to her husband, Bill, by her parents who owned a shop close to where the Canadians were stationed.Bill and Eswyn survived war, separation, Bill's injury in the last days of the war and year long recuperation, the birth of a son, immigration to Canada and all the adjustments to married life.
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Honeymoon portrait of Eswyn and William L. Lyster.1943
Portrait Studio
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From the very urban landscape of England Eswyn's destination was Empress, Alberta. But the shock was not as great as one would expect because both her husband and his family had prepared her well. 'Bill had told me what to expect. I expected it [Canada] to be different.'14
Eswyn is now in the process of writing a book about the experiences of the war brides and has compiled an extensive registry of over 3000 names of war brides.'War brides formed by far the largest organized group ever to emigrate to Canada, unique in that they were all women, and were born within a few years of each other. As the years go by much information about them is being lost.'
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