TIDWORTH Garrison marked an important period in the town’s military history as they accepted a commemorative plaque to mark the thousands of Second World War brides who passed through Wiltshire.

Tidworth Transit Camp on Salisbury Plain was an assembly point for some of the brides who married American service men during the war years, and it was here they were processed before sailing from Southampton for their new lives in the USA.

The plaque presented by the Transatlantic Brides and Parents Association (TBPA), an organisation started in the UK after the second World War by the parents of GI brides, will be placed in the Tidworth Theatre at the hub of the community.

Commander Tidworth, Netheravon and Bulford Garrison Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Balls said: “We will treasure what you have donated, the heritage is important to all of us. We will share the story of the GI brides for a long time to come.”

Mrs Irene Cobb a past national president of the TBPA flew in from the United States to hand over not only the plaque but to make a donation on behalf of the now disbanded Association to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal: “I have known a lot of original GI brides and they are absolutely thrilled that I was going to do this. I’ve sent one of the ladies’ photographs of what I am doing here today and she said it was really wonderful and would have loved to have been here. They were thrilled to bits.” She said.

Of the 35,000 who experienced the Tidworth processing camp, and part of the largest female immigration in US history was Dorothy McDaniels nee Razey from Swindon.

Attending on behalf of her great cousin was Sue Quince: “I was contacted by Dorothy who asked if I would kindly represent her and I’m very honoured to be here for her. I didn’t know much about her story but it’s been a privilege to find out more about the history and her journey.”