Warren, Marie

Marie Warren (nee Neilson) was born August 25, 1924 in Toronto. She grew up with four sisters and a brother against the backdrop of Depression-era Toronto. Marie attended Osler Avenue Public School and later Western Tech, though she left after Grade 11 as her family was unable to pay for her books. Marie went to work, and she was at Philco Radio doing war work for one year before she chose to enter the air force. She tried to do that when she was 17, but they told her to come back after her birthday. Her father objected, but she joined the RCAF Women’s Division, becoming a WD. She met an airman during this time, and they began to date; he was shipped overseas, so they did not reconnect again until just about five years later, but Marie recalls writing and receiving letters. For her part Marie was sent to Ottawa for training, and she ended up being there for about two years, sorting mail and typing reports – and marching! She was also promoted to corporal when one of the officers needed a new assistant – and decided that she had to have a rank.  Near the end of the war Marie was assigned to Gander, Newfoundland, though that was canceled without explanation. So she stayed in Ottawa, working on the base and doing what she could to keep entertained during her off hours. She also took part in the WD band on the base, where she became a drummer: they even marched in the VE Day parade! After that Marie recalls that demobilization came quickly, and she returned to Toronto and went to work for a time. Her boyfriend returned home from Burma with the end of the war in the Pacific, and the two of them married in January 1946. They went on to find their place in postwar Canada, raising their children and being part of the growing city of Toronto. Marie Warren was interviewed by Scott Masters at her home in Barrie, Ontario in April 2026.