Travelling for love
This exhibition was displayed in the Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery, level 4, State Library of Queensland between 14 Feb – 1 Jun 2008. The following is an excerpt from this exhibition
Have you travelled for love?
Tell us your story.
Travel around the world and across three centuries in this exhibition of long distance love. This exhibition featured letters, diaries, embroideries, photographs and artworks of ten couples who have travelled in and out of Queensland to be with the ones they love.
Many stories in this exhibition come from a time before internet, SMS or e-mail, where main means of travel was by train or ship. Relationships developed and blossomed through regular correspondence. Travelling for love was a global phenomenon in the years after 1945. An estimated 12,000 Australian women married American serviceman and 5000 British women married Australian servicemen during World War II. Governments charted special ships and trains to reunite the couples.
Stories from the exhibition
Robert and Mary Christison: 19th century marriage by sail and mail
Joan and Bill Bentson – World War II war bride
Lilian Cooper and Josephine Bedford: Lifelong companions who travelled against the tide
George and Emma Byrne: Love in isolation
Chiaki and Adrian – Long distance love in the 21st century
Pat and Vince Fogarty - "Our love and faith in each other can beat distance."
(Having trouble playing a story?)
About the exhibition
Tell us your own story of travelling for love, or read stories submitted by other travellers.
View literature about travelling for love
View the transcript of the Travelling for Love: Journeys of WWII brides talk by Robyn Arrowsmith. [new window 
47 kb]
View the Travelling for Love Song Book [new window 1.2 Mb]
- also available in parts: Part 1 501 kb - Part 2 431 kb - Part 3 383 kb.
Download Notes for teachers [new window 440 kb]
More information
If you have an enquiry, you can contact us in any of the following ways:
- Telephone +61 7 3840 7885
- Email publicprograms@slq.qld.gov.au
- Visit us
- Ask us
Last updated: 24th April 2009
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