Pictured Above is Autumn Brooke & Gabriel Alvarez (writer and illustrator of the History Comes Alive Series and Brides Aweigh), at the Media Event for the 80th Anniversary of the Maiden Voyage for the RMS Queen Mary!
Privileged to meet many distinguished guests. Those included in the photo collage above would be Commodore Everette Hoard, June Allen (war bride), and her grandson Chris Boots. Next is the extremely charming Ralph Rushton (bell boy, 1948). My in depth conversation with Randolph Churchill, Great Grandson of Sir Winston Churchill follows. Following is the PR director and his son, with the ever so beautiful war bride, waiting gracefully for her daughter. Two serving Bell Boys for the opening of the gallery opening, of Sir Winston Churchill’s paintings took time to pose, and ‘The Polka Dot Shoes’ (Deservedly worth a mention).
Thank You to Everyone that sacrificed a few moments of their time,
I am truly grateful & honored.
The past four days was a year in the making for myself and business partner/best friend. At the beginning of 2015, I made a decision to write a historical literary fiction novel that highlighted the Queen Mary’s service in WWII but specifically in relation to the War Brides and their incredible journey. I was hopeful to share their story in such a way that held commercial appeal so that I could reach a broad and varied audience. I have been fortunate to have some screen writer’s interest so I hope that I achieved my goal. History has always been a love of mine, but once I had children it became a true passion. I began to realize that the past, our history, fades over time and although some may be recorded within the history books, it often becomes lost. I decided that I needed to teach my boys as much as I could about past events that created or changed our World. When it is possible to interact with that history, the experience is that much deeper, bringing the history to life.
Almost exactly one year ago today, I was honored to meet a part of living history! When researching my novel, I reached out to the Queen Mary and was given many resources, but the best was being put in contact with a War Bride, by the name of June Allen. We shared many conversations but after a few months I was able to meet with her personally aboard the ship. The more I read, learning about the War Brides and GI’s traveling when she was in-service as the Grey Ghost, the easier it was to imagine how they may have walked the corridors, but awe inspiring to know I was literally sitting with June where she had sat 70 years before. What a responsibility I was undertaking by not just trying to Keep History Alive, but in the realization I was sharing living history. Writing their thoughts as they relived what they felt seeing rooms where they had slept as they crossed international waters.
This week my illustrator, Gabriel and I were presented with an opportunity to attend several Media Only events aboard the Queen Mary to celebrate her Maiden Voyage 80 years ago. There were many honored guests in attendance, more words to preserve so that we may keep the Memories Alive. I was star struck, blessed, and thankful creating a feeling of euphoria that glowed over the few days of celebration. I am sure that I often appeared nervous and scattered to most and if not, I am proud of my composure. How could one not feel anxious when standing in front of Randolph Churchill as he talked about his great-grandfather, Sir Winston Churchill’s paintings? Or having the opportunity to dance with Ralph Rushton, a bell boy to 1st Class Waiter serving in 1948.
It was an incredible week and we will never forget it. I treasure the memories that were shared with me I we created new memories aboard the extraordinary Queen Mary for future generations.
