A world at war brought them together. Lois Cross met Canadian air gunner Ross Bowling while he was serving overseas with 422 Squadron. Lois worked in the payroll department at the Beighton Colliery at Sheffield, she loved to dance, (her future husband did not) and experienced her share of catcalls and whistles from American servicemen stationed in the city. She was not amused. Eventually she met Ross, a cousin of family friends. A whirlwind romance ensued, and they married on July 1st 1944. (His sister-in-law, Christine Cross, has remarked this was the fastest decision she ever saw him make.) A large trunk inside the waiting room at Fort Langley CN Station tells the next part of the story: when Lois stepped off the train in 1946 she became the first war bride to arrive in Fort Langley. Some 48,000 young women met and married Canadian servicemen during the Second World War. Lois left behind a city of more than half a million for a dusty village halfway around the world. (Some 44,000 war brides came to Canada after WW II — and 21,000 children.)
Her sister Christine picks up the story: “Fort Langley was a small village, gravel roads and small shops. But there was a sense of community and I know that Lois was welcomed warmly by this community. She was given a “shower”, which was not a British event, but I know one that pleased her. She took part in the life of St George’s Church and the Fort Langley Women’s Auxiliary of the V.A. serving as President at least once. She never lost her nostalgia for England and she and Ross took part in his squadron’s trips to Great Britain more than once.”
Ross was the eldest son of Frank and Nellie Bowling who farmed on today’s 96th Avenue (formerly Wilson Townline Road). Frank had served in WW I, and just 11 days before the Armistice, was seriously wounded when a machine gun bullet hit him in the back. He spent the next 8 months in hospital where he learned how to walk again. A handwritten message from King George V wished him “Godspeed” and “a safe return to the happiness & joy of home life with an early restoration to health.” Frank did return to Canada, and in 1921 acquired 62 acres, with assistance from the Soldier Settlement Board. He and wife Nellie raised 3 sons and a daughter at their Fort Langley dairy and bee farm, called Fern Hill Farm.
Above: Lois on the farm (Langley Centennial Museum)
Christine Cross recounts how her “city girl” sister took to country life. “I remember her excitement regarding emigrating to Canada to be with Ross and his family, but I don’t think she took too kindly to the life of a farmer’s wife. And she had a severe allergy to hay. But she was in love, and was devoted to her family and to her husband. The marriage lasted 55 years (Ross died at the end of 1999 at age 79). My memory of Lois and Ross in their latter years was that of “Derby and Joan”. They were inseparable.”
Above: The Bowling family during a wedding reception for Ross and Lois. This appears to be a reception at the Fort Langley Community Hall. (L-R): Susannah Bowling, Frank Bowling, Nellie Bowling, Ross Bowling, Lois Bowling, Tom/Don? Bowling, Gwen (nee Bowling) and Bob Brown. (Courtesy Langley Centennial Museum)
Lois died in 2011 at age 87. She is survived by her two children (Ian and Carol), 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A weathered trunk packed with dreams remains at the historic CN Station in Fort Langley.
Memorial bench dedicated to the Bowlings at St George’s Anglican Church, Fort Langley.