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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lincolnshire => Topic started by: David Layne on Friday 16 January 09 17:37 GMT (UK)
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During the Second World War my mother kept a diary of her life and times in Grantham.
Two entrys intrigued me, they being the mentioning of two girls (who I presume are sisters) marrying Americans. I would be interested to know if anyone has any further knowledge of these ladies.
Saturday October 21st 1944
Betty Broughton married Jack Phillips USAAF. A pretty wedding. I enjoyed it.
Thursday April 5th 1945
Went to Madge Broughton’s wedding – she married Pat Arsanault an American.
The whole diary is really a fascinating read filled with a lot of sadness as she lists friends killed, missing, wounded or P.O.W.'s.
Moderator comment: as there is a possibility that these people are still alive, please send details about them or their descendants by Personal Message rather than posting them on the boards. Other information can still be posted here.
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Kathy sent me the following information that I appreciate.
Phillips - Broughton
Oct 21st 1944 at St Wulframs Church(by license)by Canon C H Leeke.Jack David younger son of the late Mr G B Phillips & Mrs W Sheldon of Oklahoma USA to Betty younger daughter of Mr & Mrs C A Broughton 57,Castlegate Grantham.
Arsenault-Broughton
Apr 5th 1945 at St Wulframs Church(by license)by Canon C H Leeke.Perry Drew youngest son of Mr H and the late Mrs Arsenault of Groveton New Hampshire USA to Madge elder daughter of Mr & Mrs C A Broughton 57,Castlegate Grantham
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On Ancestry.com there are a lot of entries for Perry D Arsenault New Hampshire...so it looks as though he at least went back to America. Maybe someone with the full works for ancestry could look them up for you.
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Madge did come to US but she & Perry were divorced and she went back to UK with their daughter. I found them on ship lists coming & going. Madge apparently never remarried and was a school teacher. Perry did remarry. He died in 1974.
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Janet many thanks for the additional information.
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Perrys sister Wava wrote a memoir. When Perry returned from war he lived with her. From the memoir: Perry had married an English school teacher to give their child a name, but wouldn't live with her. She came over to this country and moved in with us, and Perry walked out the same night. They had a beautiful little girl called Judy, so while his wife Madge worked, I had another little one to care for, besides my own. The childrens ages were one, two and three. Madge stayed for two years before she left for England. Perry loved his little girl, but he refused to come and see her unless her mother was gone. Otherwise there would be an argument. Her parents had come over for a whole summer while she was here. We didn't have room for them so Madge rented a room across the street for them and they had their meals with us. They were wonderful people and they enjoyed the food so much. Our rationing was nothing during the war compared to theirs in England.
Finally , Madge gave in and gave Perry a divorce and went back to England.
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Again thanks. Did Madge return to Grantham?
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I was contacted by a Beth Lawence through my ancestry.com tree. She was curious about Madge and found him on my Moorhead/Welch tree. She told me she grew up in Lincolnshire, England in a small village. Her headmistrees at her school was Madge. Her past was a bit of a mystery but they did know she had an American husband, Perry Arsenault and daughter Judith. That contact was what started me doing more searching.
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Hi,
On F.M.Past I found the following.
Death.
Reg Dist.Grantham
Madge Arsenaught.
Jan 1992
Date of birth 30/Oct/1914
Vol.7
Page No.1769
Reg No.192
Kathy
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Hi,
More info re Madge Arsenault
Madge was cremated at Grantham Cemetary (under Marg)but her ashes were taken away so were not buried or scattered in Grantham cemetary.As per Cemetary records.
Kathy
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Thanks Kathy. It makes me wonder if my mother met Madge again after her return to Grantham as my mother lived all of her 91 years in or around Grantham.