Ada Bromley
Photograph Circa 1960
Name/Title
Ada BromleyEntry/Object ID
P2007-01-14-941Description
Ada Bromley 1896-1984 Ada was born in 1896 in Fulton, South Grimsby Township, the youngest of nine children. She graduated high school in 1915 with honours and a first class certificate, then went to Hamilton Teachers' Training College. Her first assignment took her to S.S. No.9 in Fulton and a year later was transferred to S.S. No.3 Hagar School in Grimsby. Ada married Leonard Bromley in 1922 in Grimsby. They raised three children in their newly constructed home at 169 Main Street West. Ada was a Girl Guide leader, participated in the local drama club and served on the board of education and the Grimsby Public Library board. She was one of the people who re-established the Grimsby Historical Society after WWII. Ada Bromley was a dynamic woman who was known as a person ‘who will get the job done.’ In 1942 when she was involved in the Lincoln Loyalist chapter of the Independent Order of the Daughters of the Empire, Ada was the custodian records and established a Home Hospitality program for British Airmen training at Mount Hope. Ada’s ‘little black book’ containing her notes indicated her tenacity in approaching and signing up local families to host airmen while they were on leave, generally 48 hours, but sometimes longer. The men would be met at the bus station and taken to the host home for their leave. Ada not only arranged the appropriate family for the airmen, but she also wrote letters to their families in England to let them know he was enjoying a home cooked meal or taking a trip to Niagara Falls. At the end of the war, one man came back to Grimsby to marry his hosts daughter. Ada Bromley and the IODE were also involved in sending parcels to local servicemen overseas. There are many letters of thanks, newspapers, cigarettes, socks, and other treats. After the war ended, Ada became involved with the Grimsby Historical Society where she served on the Board of Directors as President. Ada had an integral role in gathering local history from 1867-1967 and with a team of researchers, 49 writers and 6 typists, to create the book “Once Upon a Little Town”. The Foreward written by Phil Dechman, commented on Ada stating, “it may never have gotten off the ground without her motivation and determination.” Dechman also stated “we hope it will be well received: it will remain forever as a tribute to Ada Bromley and her pride in Grimsby.” Ada won many awards including the Grimsby Citizenship Award in 1979. In 1980, she was presented with an award from the Sertoma Club, a volunteer service organization.Category
Photos - Peo/Fam - Other