Newfoundland War Brides

Joyce's husband Frederick, after two years at sea, was stationed at 57 Victoria St. Liverpool, England where he helped with the transportation of war brides to Newfoundland.

Joyce Samms

Born:
Maiden Name: Stewart
From: Treeton near Rotherham South Yorkshire
Occupation: WRNS
Husband: Frederick Samms, Royal Navy
Date of Marriage: Oct 14, 1944
Date of Departure: 12 July 1945
Ships Name: SS Drottningholm
Ship was Direct to St. John's
Settled in: Codroy in 1946, moved back to Treeton in 1947
and returned to Codroy 1952 and moved to Port aux Basques
some years later.
Children: Judith & Katherine 4 grandchildren
and 7 great grandchildren

During the Second World War Mrs. Samms served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service in England. She arrived in St. John's on July 12 1945, she then crossed the island on the train and was meet by all her husband's family. They stayed about a year, flying back to England from Gander. The family returned to Newfoundland in 1952. A few years later she became the only female member at Branch 11 of The Royal Canadian Legion.

She has served in a variety of roles for many years such as President, Secretary, Poppy Chair, Honours and Awards Chair.
Mrs. Samms also organized Remembrance Day school programs each year and was guest speaker at two schools. She was the first woman to be elected as District Commander and ten years later became the first woman in Canada to be elected Provincial President of the Royal Canadian Legion.
She has received the Meritorious Service Medal and the Palm Leaf – the Legions’ highest honour
She is a Life Member of the Legion and is a recipient of the Queens’ Golden Jubilee Medal.
In December 2008, Mrs. Samms received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.