George Richardson ANDREW (1916-1976) - #23 (52 Ancestors)

Theme: Wedding      |     Images: Click on many to enlarge

Wedding of June LEE and George ANDREW, 21 Apr 1945, Toronto, Ontario.
My mother Mabel ANDREW, sister of the groom, is the attendant on the left.

My mother Mabel ANDREW was an attendant (probably the maid of honor) at her older brother George’s wedding.  The only photo I have of that wedding is this informal shot, with Mom the only one looking directly at the camera, and the others caught unaware.  That's likely why Mom was given this photo, and of course I like it, but I wish I had more of the bride and groom.

Baby George ANDREW with his mother Nell, about 1917, at their home in North St Eleanors, PEI

George & his sister Mabel ANDREW, about Dec 1919, PEI

George and Mabel were the oldest children of Harry Charles ANDREW and Eleanor Louise RICHARDSON, who raised their seven children on their family farm in North St Eleanors, PEI, Canada.  George was born on October 15, 1916 during the Great War,  just 16 months before his sister Mabel.  He was an outgoing and fun-loving guy who was also known to be a prankster on occasion.  Growing up during the depression, he also would have learned to work hard and help take care of the family.

When WWII started in 1939, George was 23.  At some point he enlisted, perhaps while still in PEI, or perhaps he had already moved to Ontario.  I know very little about his military and wartime experiences, except what I was once told: he joined the Army Motorcycle Corp, attended Camp Borden near Toronto, and served in war.  While in Ontario he met his future bride, June, in Creemore in Simcoe Country, north of Toronto and west of Barrie.

George Richardson ANDREW married Marjorie June LEE on the first day of Spring, 21 Apr 1945, in Toronto Ontario. George was in uniform, as was his best man, as the war had not yet ended.  But celebrate they did!  Germany was soon to surrentder on 8 May 1945, and Japan was to follow suit on 14 Aug 1945.  Then the war was over, another cause for great celebration.

George ANDREW in 1932 (about age 16) at their home in North St Eleanors, PEI

Brothers Dean & George ANDREW who both enlisted in WWII

June and George ANDREW
with their first child.

George and June settled in Moncton New Brunswick for a short time after the war before returning to Ontario where they raised their four daughters.  Over the next few years George's parents and siblings took turns traveling west to settle in British Columbia, some  stopping to visit George and family on the way through.  The last to make the trip was his sister Harriet in 1953, traveling with her husband Charlie Clark and their three kids.

In 1959, George and at least some of his family traveled west to Duncan BC to visit his parents and attend an Andrew reunion held at Harriet and Charlie's home.  It was the first time I met my Ontario cousins.  Over the years there were only a few other trips west for reunions and anniversary celebrations, so I never got to know them well. 

The last time I remember seeing Uncle George was in June 1975 when he attended his parents 60th wedding anniversary dinner held at the Village Green Inn in Duncan BC.  He was already sick with lung cancer, but never said a word.  George died on March 27, 1976 in Ontario, and was buried in Stayner Union Cemetery in Staynor, Simcoe County.  He was only 59 years of age.

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I have posted additional  information on my ANDREW families elsewhere on this website.

"52 Ancestors" is a reference to the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" challenge I am participating in.  
Reference the No Story Too Small blog by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow for more details.  
It is giving me  the much needed incentive to write and publish my family stories.