Charlotte Dunn was a war bride – a term used in reference to foreign women who married military personnel in times of war or during their military occupations of foreign countries.

Miss Dunn served during WW II in the Australian Air Force and married  American soldier Arthur Langlois at the end of the war. The couple then went to live in the United States of America in Michigan where they raised their family of six children.

In 2000 Charlotte wrote to her twin brother Claude with her wish that following her death, her ashes were to be brought home to Australia so they could both rest together alongside their mother, Elizabeth. 

On March 16, 2016, Mrs Langlois passed away in Cooperville aged 90 years.

“Her wish was finally achieved when her two granddaughters Sarah and Rebecca travelled to Australia last month to bring her ashes home,” said Charlotte’s grandniece Sue Reardon.

“It was such a pleasure meeting the girls in the beloved town of Walcha, which their Grandmother had so many fond memories of, and showing them some Australian sights, kangaroos, koalas and Apsley Falls. We also played a game of cricket out on the oval and gave them a taste of Vegemite – which they didn’t love.”

Some of Charlotte's ashes will remain in her adopted country with her husband who died in 2005.

“The extended Dunn family would like to sincerely thank Rev. Ben France and Ross Hoy for their contribution to a lovely service last month,” said Mrs Reardon.

There were 15,000 Australian WWII War Brides of American servicemen.

In her 2013 book ‘All The Way To The USA’ author Dr Robyn Arrowsmith talks about  the long wait to sail to America and the sea voyage itself, as well as the women’s reception in a new country.

“These women bravely displayed commitment, resourcefulness and determination, as they dealt with red tape, chronic homesickness and grief for the families they left behind while adjusting to different aspects of cultural change and settling into a new life of wife and mother.”