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My name is Betty (Burrows) Thompson and this is my story.

I was born in the ancient London of Lambeth, but grew up in Sussex, England, near Brighton.

I met my husband, Michael Thompson of Erinsville, Ontario, at a Sherry's dance hall in Brighton on the 15th day of June at 2.50 pm in 1945. I will never forget the time because he asked me what time the dance hall opened, I said 3 pm. He said, "What time is it now?", and I laughed because we were in sight of the huge clock tower just up the road.

When we got inside we found we had entered by the back door, and the place was crowded. There was only one table left, with two empty chairs - quite a coincidence - we talked all afternoon, the rest is history.

We married in the old Village of Barcombe, Sussex, in 1945. I came to Halifax on the Lady Nelson, arriving July 23rd, 1946. The ship was crowded, and there was not much privacy.

I remember the warm reception from my new family in Canada. My husband helped me greatly by telling me exactly what life was like in Erinsville, and his honesty paid off as I knew what to expect and felt comfortable. Also, my new in-laws wrote to me, and I felt like I already knew them.

The years between then and now, were hard at times. In the beginning we had no running water or hydro. At first our home was a rented four room house where our first four children were born. We then bought a farm in Erinsville. This is where our last three children were born.

We had 3 beautiful daughters and four handsome sons. Our family has grown to include 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Unfortunately, Michael passed away with cancer in 1975. He only saw four of our grand-children. I am truely blessed with my wonderful family and I don't regret my decision to leave England for Michael, all those years ago.

If you know Betty (Burrows) Thompson and would like to contact her, please send her an email through her daughter, Marion!

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