GI Bride Olive DeLoma took an emotional journey down memory lane as “The Duchess” returned to her Warrington roots for “one last time.”
Part of that trip included a first ever visit to Warrington Town Hall where she was welcomed by the Mayor Cllr Les Morgan, who gave her a guided tour.
Nicknamed “The Duchess” by her late husband John, the couple had a whirlwind romance after meeting at a party in 1946, while he was based at Burtonwood.
While John was keen to stay in Warrington, it was Olive, who grew up in Sankey Bridges, attending Evelyn Street School, who made the decision to move to the States.
She recalls how John wanted to get married within three weeks of meeting at a party at her aunty’s house.
“I was fed up of the rations of one egg a month and thought it would be good to make a fresh start in America.”
The couple lived in Connecticut, having two sons, five grand children and now nine great grandchildren. Following a fall a few years ago Olive moved to Washington to be closer to her sons.
She last visited Warrington two years ago and prior to that it was 18 years ago.
“I told my sons that I am now 92 and wanted to visit Warrington one last time to see family and friends,” she said.
” I have no regrets about moving to America but the older i have got the more I have missed Warrington. My one regret is that I didn’t go for dual citizenship.”
Olive was made up with her first ever trip to the town hall.
“My husband called me the Duchess and some people thought I was really a Duchess. I have a picture of the town hall gates hanging in my living room so it was nice to get the chance to visit.
Her many memories include trips to the “Blighty Club” which is the Old Conservative Club, attending dances and her days at Evelyn Street School and working at Bennett’s Shirts Works.
GI Bride Olive DeLoma meets the Mayor Cllr Les Morgan
The Duchess on the town hall steps with the Mayor
