Gloria Rutkowski
A GI’s daughter
Gloria was born in Chicago, where she spent her childhood living with her American father and English mother. Bill Rutkowski, had met Gloria’s mother, Margaret, when he was stationed at the 52nd general hospital, in Wolverley. Bill soon became a regular visitor to Margaret’s home in East Street Kidderminster.
They were married in Kidderminster, on 17th June 1944, just over twelve months before Bill returned to the states with the US army, Margaret followed shortly afterwards. It was another ten years before Gloria was born. Gloria spent most of her earlier years, caring for her sick parents before they both passed away by the late 1980’s.
Gloria Rutkowski
Gloria decided that she had to meet her mother’s family over in England, her mother’s sister aunty Maisie made her very welcome. Gloria became a regular visitor at aunty Maisie’s and it was here that she met the man she would marry.
“I am married to an Englishman now, and have become a British citizen, so you could say that the wheel has turned full circle for me. I still retain a great love for America along with my adopted country, England”. “There’s seldom a day that passes that I am not thankful to our unsung heroes from all those years ago”
