The R.M.S. Queen Mary sailing into New York harbour on the 20th June 1945 with 12,000 returning troops. 'Operation Magic Carpet' lasted for a year and was the largest combined air and sealift ever organised.

During the period February to May 1946 she made a total of thirteen voyages carrying European war brides and their children to the US and Canada. She still retains her wartime grey livery for which she acquired the nickname 'Grey Ghost'. [1230]

On February 4, 1946, more than 2,000 wives and children of American servicemen boarded the giant Cunarder Queen Mary to join the first batch of 464 wives and 171 children who had left Southampton on board the liner Argentina on a similar voyage to New York several days earlier.

After being delayed for 24 hours due to 65mph winds that had hit Southampton the day before, the 81,000-ton Queen Mary finally slipped anchor and edged away from Southampton for New York with her consignment of 2,334 wives and children of American servicemen to make the long trip across the Atlantic. . . . . .

The transportation of GI Brides, which began on January 26, 1946 with the departure of Argentina, continued for ten months and saw about 42,000 wives and their children pass through Southampton docks on their way to their new home.

The operation came to an end on October 18, 1946 when the US transporter Henry Gibbins, carrying 102 British wives and children, became the 67th and last bride ship to sail under the official scheme. - The Southern Daily Echo [1231] 22nd February 2015.