Cynthia Dowdall – born November 1, 1924
Tag: War bride
The Dowdall House – Fowler’s Corners
Dragging the house on to the basement
The Dowdall House – Fowler’s Corners
Cynthia arrived in Halifax on June 14, 1946. She then travelled by train to Belleville, Ontario. John and his brother Gordon picked Cynthia up at the train station. After an overnight stop at Gordon and Thelma’s, they headed to Sudbury to visit with relatives. A party was thrown for the newlyweds that lasted until dawn.
Originally they were going to live in Sudbury, but Gordon convinced John and his other brother Marmaduke that they should come to Peterborough. He said there was good farmland, (Marmaduke wanted to farm), and there were jobs at the Canadian General Electric company.
John and Cynthia lived with Gordon and Thelma on Stormont Street. John got a job at the GE.
On August 7, 1946, they purchased an acre of land on the Peterborough-Lakefield Highway, 5 miles from Peterborough. The price was $250.00. Then they decided to sell it. At some point they moved in with “Duke†and Marie on the farm at Orange Corners.
They purchased the land at Fowler’s Corners from Bill Burgomaster (actually his mother owned the farm). John was able to get a loan from the VLA (Veterans Land Association), because he had served with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps., and they began work on the house.
At first they built half of the house. Cynthia thought that the wind would knock it over, so John attached guy wires to hold it down.
Cynthia’s Diary – June 16 – 29, 1946
16 Sunday
Awoke about 5 a.m. to children crying. Watched scenery. Went to sleep. Had corn flakes, bacon and egg and toast. Got off at Cambletown for walk. Also at Mont Joli. Bought cokes from super café. Took photos. Had salad, ice cream for dinner etc. Went to sleep.
17 Monday
Johnny’s and my second Wedding Anniversary. Arrived Belleville 5 a.m. Johnny and Gordon waiting for me. 70 miles in car. Had flat tire. Another couple came with us. Met Thelma and children.  Drove to town.
18 Tuesday
Johnny gave me anniversary presents of stockings, and Red Chenille house coat. Bought me slacks, dress, etc. Drove 310 miles to Sudbury. Had drinks etc. on way.
19 Wednesday
Pamela’s 18th Birthday.  Met Duke, Marie, Ma and Pa Jenkins, Rae, Paul, Ellen, Phil etc. Had a party ‘till 6 o’clock in morning for me. Met dozens of people. Did square dances to orchestra.
20 Thursday
Had table full of presents. Beer, wine. Wonderful food, chicken also Wedding cake. Went to Phil and Ellen’s to supper. Went drive round Sudbury.
21 Friday
Bought me pickled egg. Put sugar on by mistake. Couldn’t eat it. They laughed. Had Hen party shower for me Lots more presents. Also wine. Played bingo won 4 times. Went to Ma Jenkin’s for supper.
22 Saturday
Drove to Lake Penage. Mr. and Mrs. Whithead’s Lodge. Mad at John for going on Lake for 2 ½ hours with girls.  Saw house where Dionne Quints born. Also lovely house they now live in.
23 Sunday
Drove back from Sudbury. Could not carry my presents. Just clock off Jenkins. Had to leave bouquet behind. Stopped at Callendar. Met more Dowdalls including Johnny’s half brother. Had drink in their café. I was sick on way. Had flat tire.
24 Monday
Johnny started work again.
25 Tuesday
Insurance man came. Johnny bought insurance. Paid $56 first payment. Drove down town for lime drink. Bought fish and chips.
26 Wednesday
Drove to canal. Johnny swam. I paddled. Had ice cream. Also hamburger. The weather is boiling.
27 Thursday
Had letter from Mummy and Phyllis. Wrote letters. Sometimes it’s hard to believe I’m in Canada. Johnny worked ‘till 11 o’clock on car. Top fell on his arm.
28 Friday
Rode down got bread with Thelma, Johnny. Gave me $2 to do some shopping. Bought pound cherries.
29 Saturday
All went to town to do shopping. Bought Wendy dress.
Cynthia’s Diary – June 2 – 15, 1946
June, 1946
2 Sunday
Mummy had letter from Johnny. Had present off Auntie Elsie Also off Mrs. Batchelor. Went for papers. A shortage of cigarettes in Cranleigh. Did not go out. Mrs. Ward came.
3 Monday
Had new instructions from Wives Bureau. I leave Friday. And am now sailing on the Queen Mary. Daddy went back. I phoned Phyllis.
4 Tuesday
Went to Ewhurst to dancing class with Mummy and Wendy. It was raining. Glad to get home.
5 Wednesday
Did not go out. Pamela and Mummy stayed home again. Did sewing etc. Also ironing. Daddy is meeting us in London on Friday.
6 Thursday
Did shopping. Had tea at Hibbs with Mummy and Wendy. Went fixed money at Bank.
Went to show. Saw Son of Lassie.
7 Friday
Taxi called 12:30. Caught 12:49 train to Guildford. Caught 1:20 train Waterloo. Packed. Stood all the way. Met Daddy. Phyllis. She gave me present. Had cup tea. Then had another at caf. Kissed them goodbye 4:30. All cried. Dozens children.
8 Saturday
Had coffee in caf. Watched Victory Parade from Balcony. Saw King, Queen and Princesses also Prime Minister and Winston Churchill. Phoned Mummy had Whelks. Wrote to Mummy and family.
9 Sunday
Went to tea with Phyllis. Met her sister, brother etc. Wrote to Mummy. Phoned Mummy. Left Hostel 10 o’clock. Left Waterloo at 12. Arrived Southampton 1:30. Gee the Queen Mary’s a big ship. Wonderful food. Had bath.
10 Monday
Saw film “Diamond Horseshoeâ€, Betty Grable, Dick Hayes. Phoned Mummy in morning. And afternoon, evening. Said Goodbye to them all. Had telegram from them. Had bath.
11 Tuesday
Queen Mary left Southampton 9:30 a.m. Took photo of coast and ship Nelson. Went to show saw Rex Harrison in “Blyth Spiritâ€. Had bath. Did shopping. Bought jumper, brassiere, etc.
12 Wednesday
Was sea-sick, also the others. Forced myself to eat. Got cigarettes. Also souvenirs.  Sat on deck and in lounge. Had coke, apples, etc.
13 Thursday
Had hair shampooed and set in Beauty Salon. The Right Honourable Mackenzie King who is on the boat, gave a speech!
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14 Friday
15 Saturday
Docked at Halifax in morning about 11 o’clock. Went through immigration. Changed money. Sent cables. Spoke several times to Mackenzie King. Took his photo.
A page from Cynthia’s autograph book
Cynthia’s Diary – February 10 – 23, 1946
10 Sunday
Maurie came again. Johnny and I went to Stockland Hotel in evening. Malcolm wouldn’t come.
11 Monday
Auntie Elsie came into town with us. Had ice in Lewis. She went to see old ladies. We went to see Daddy and Auntie Sis etc. Then went to show. Saw “A Thousand and One Nights” at Gaumont. Had supper and went home after having drinks.
12 Tuesday
Tried to book seats at Hippodrome to see Hot Ice, impossible. Elsie gave us £1. Had tea Gaumont, then drinks then went to Stockland for more drinks.
13 Wednesday
Got up early and caught 9 o’clock train. Floods had subsided. Got into London early. Had drinks in Bear and Staff. Lots of stage and screen people in there.
14 Thursday
Went to Leicester Square Theatre. Saw George Brent in The Spiral Staircase. Had lunch etc. Got train 5:30 to Guildford. Had drinks and supper. Went to Onslow, then to show. Saw Humphrey Bogart in Conflict. I was sick.
15 Friday
Went to show. It’s nice having Johnny around the house. Hand still in bandage.
16 Saturday
Did not go to dance. Had drink at 3 Horseshoes. No fish and chips.
17 Sunday
Did not go to show as I’d seen one of the films. Johnny took photo of me in the Garden. Left on last bus.
18 Monday
Johnny came round, brought Ace. Elaine came too. Had supper then, curse it, he had to go back to camp, as he has to go up to the Hospital early about hand.
19 Tuesday
Went to Ewhurst with Wendy to watch her dancing. While I was out, Johnny phoned, the poor darling’s hand is broken, so he has to go to the hospital and probably won’t get down for a few days, Oh! Gosh! I feel like crying. Gee, I miss him terribly and love him so very much. Went shopping. Had headache. Edna phoned. Coming 2nd March. Ace phoned. Coming Saturday.
20 Wednesday
Johnny phoned. Promised I’d go and see him tomorrow. Mummy and Pamela found out about the baby.
22 Friday
Went to Guildford 12 o’clock. Had cup tea, caught 1:15 bus to Bramshott Hospital. At last found Johnny. Film on Weekend at Waldorf. Felt faint. Johnny got me water. Had super there. Got home 8 o’clock.
23 Saturday s.r.7.0, s.s.5.28
Johnny got here 2 o’clock. Had dinner. Went to show saw Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Caught 9:30 bus home. Ace didn’t come!
Cynthia’s Diary January 27 – February 9, 1946
27Â Sunday
Went to show. Saw George Sanders in “The Moon and Sixpenceâ€. Had drink at Onslow. Caught 9:30 bus home. Found 6d.
28 Monday
Did my washing. Mrs. Tugwel called round about telephone.
 29 Tuesday
Johnny comes home every night now. It would be so lonely without him, as Daddy is now in Birmingham. He has a job there.
30 Wednesday
Johnny came, stayed home.
31 Thursday
Made appointment to have hair permed. Went to show. Johnny came, saw George Formby in “I didn’t do itâ€.
1 February, Friday
Had hair permed. Maria, short style, curls all over 2-7-0. Johnny came.
 2 Saturday
Johnny came. We didn’t go out as it was so wet.
 3 Sunday
Rained all day. So didn’t go out. Elaine came round. She and Pamela went to show.
4 Monday
Johnny came, all bruised and with his wrist in agony. Did best we could. Didn’t know what to do with it all night.
 5 Tuesday
Johnny came, had been to M.O. Took ex rays and bound it up in plaster.
6 Wednesday
Johnny came. He starts his leave tomorrow.
7 Thursday
Went to community centre for dinner. Johnny’s hand all swollen. Went to Onslow. Saw old Rydinghurst gang.
8 Friday
Went to Birmingham. Arrived 9:30. Looked around London on way. Good trains.
 9 Saturday
Malcolm came to Auntie Elsie for weekend. Also Maurie. Met Johnny’s friend Cecil Ace and wife, Sylvia at College Arms, Sparkhill. I was sick, so came home at 10 o’clock. We could have gone dancing and stayed night with them.
Cynthia’s Diary – Dec 31,1945 – Jan 26, 1946
31 December 1945Â Monday
Went into Guildford. Got evening dress. White with red polka dots. Mrs. Kosten Hendricks helped me alter it as it was too long.
Went to Cranleigh College dance with Johnny in taxi with Lt. Cmdr and Mrs. Kosten and Pam. Had drinks etc.
1 Tuesday
2 Wednesday
Went to Onslow with Johnny.
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17 Thursday
Johnny went back today. Went to show
18 Friday
Johnny arrived to help us move. Went to Onslow. Andy, Jack and Elaine and friend came to supper.
19Â Saturday
Moved into our new house today. Got radio fixed up etc.
 20 Sunday
Went to show with Johnny. Also to Onslow. Pamela brought Andy, Elaine and Jacky to supper.
21 Monday
Johnny went back to camp. Radio broke. Went to show.
22 Tuesday
Wrote letters and sent off competition.
 23 Wednesday
Johnny came this evening. He has 4 days leave.
24 Thursday
Went to show. Saw Hedy Lamar in “Conflictâ€. Johnny stayed home, he’d seen it.
25 Friday
Johnny and I caught 9:45 bus to Guildford, then train to London. Got room at Union Jack Club, Waterloo. Went drinking. Went to Lyons Brasserie. Then to show at Odeon. Saw George Raft in “Stop Whistleâ€.
 26 Saturday
Had drinks, supper etc. Went to London Pavilion. Saw Bing Crosby, Bob Hope in “Road to Utopiaâ€. Went to Brasserie. Got into Guildford at 7:30. Went had tea, then to Lion Hotel for supper and drinks. Met Daddy in subway train, on way to Birmingham.
Cynthia’s Diary – June 1944
In the Surrey Times newspaper:
Cynthia’s Diary – June 1944
This photo was published in a Sudbury newspaper.
Principals In English Wedding