Canadian Red Cross corps from World War II holds final meeting

(Ottawa, May 2, 2005) – The Overseas Club - which consists of women volunteers who served abroad during World War II and the Korean War as members of the Canadian Red Cross Corps - will come together in Ottawa for their last formal gathering from May 6 to 8.

Sixty-five members of the Overseas Club will share stories, renew friendships and participate in the official opening of the new Canadian War Museum. The Canadian Red Cross is hosting a special reception in Ottawa to recognize the important contributions of the Overseas Club.

“More than 15,000 Canadian women played a vital, yet often overlooked role during World War II,” says Dr. Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Red Cross.  “Red Cross will be forever grateful for their contributions.”

During World War II and after, of the 15,000 female volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross Corps, 641 served overseas in Africa and Europe. They drove ambulances - often in blackouts, supported patients and assisted staff in military hospitals. In London, they staffed four “Maple Leaf” hostels and two canteens as well as assisting civilians in England. A number of volunteers served as welfare officers with military hospitals in the United Kingdom, Africa, Italy, northern Europe and Korea. Other activities included helping with the rehabilitation of the war-blinded and coordinating the distribution of parcels to prisoners of war. 

“After 60 years, the members of the Overseas Club remain proud of having served our country and the Canadian Red Cross,” says Jean MacLean, Overseas Club President. “Although we have decided that this will be our last formal meeting, our special memories of serving overseas together and friendships we have formed with each other will remain strong.”

Between 1945 and 1947, a delegation of 58 Corps volunteers escorted nearly 45,000 war brides and their 21,000 children on their trans-Atlantic journey to Canada. This was the largest mass migration of women and children in Canadian history.

In 1945, four Corps members who had just come home met for lunch in Toronto. They felt they should meet again the following year with a few more members and thus the Overseas Club was born. For 60 years without a break, members have met at various locations in Canada and the United Kingdom. As a project, the Club raised over $230,000 that has been donated to the Canadian Red Cross Loan Cupboard.

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For further information about the Overseas Club or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Suzanne Charest
Media Relations Manager
Canadian Red Cross                  
Tel.: (613) 740-1928                                       
Cel:  (613) 222-6196

May 2, 2005