Maureen and Bob Mathes are now retired and living in Portstewart, Northern Ireland. They met during the war in Derry where Maureen was working for an American company who were building the jetty at Lisahally and bases across the town like Clooney and Springtown.

Bob was in the US Navy but was stationed in port. When Maureen's boss introduced her to the young Bob romance blossomed. they were married in 1944 in St Columb's Cathedral in Londonderry.

Maureen was given only 24 hours notice that she was to sail on the first GI bride ship to the USA and was the first ever Irish GI Bride to set foot on US soil.

Listen to their story.

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