The ‘Sheila Bush’ Photo Archive

This page comprises a collection of black-and-white group-photos (and reminiscences) amassed by Sheila Monincx née Bush during the 1940s (her formative years) while living in Winchester Road (off Honeypot Lane), Queensbury, Middlesex, UK.



Sheila Bush, aged 11 in 1946

If you recognise anyone in the photos, or would like a high resolution print or would like to contact Sheila about any of the photos, she can be contacted at: 'smognincx@sympatico.ca' - but without the 'g' (a 'spam-thwarter').  Sheila, now living in Ontario, will be delighted to hear from you.

Right 'Click' on photos to download, save and view them at their full size (they are presented here at reduced size).  Sheila's mini auto-biography can be accessed through her photograph.

Winchester Road Circa 1941,  The 'Irish' family's birthday party for Gladys.  Back row on the right is Mrs Irish.  Next row down, 4th from the left is my friend Maisie Wainford, who was in the year above me at Chandos. Bottom row, wiping his eye, is Leslie Irish (he had got another walloping by the looks of it).  I don't know who the lady is that has Hilda sitting on her lap.  I'm the one on the end.  My Nana made this frilly dress.  Oh My! Mavis Trout is on the other end.  There's Alec Parker, Michael Hewlett, Beryl Bond, Sheila Driver.  Funny how I can remember most of their names now just by looking at this picture. Just behind Mavis Trout on the end right is (Ronald) Terry Knightley.  Yes, that's him alright - he used to come to our house with tin soldiers and swap them for my plasticine.  (After Chandos Secondary Modern, Terry did his National Service in the RAF and fathered two sons.  He died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage in '70… aged just 35 - CK).  I remember his younger brother, Christopher, being born in about 1949.

'Victory' street party, 1945 Back row, 2nd girl from the right is my friend from Chandos, Maisie Wainford. Entertainment included an 'egg and spoon' race - which I won.  I still have the prize: a book entitled 'Twenty Tales for Telling'.  We had three-legged races - mainly for adults - too.  My Mum, Doris Margaret Bush, sat on a platform - which was decked and draped around with red, white and blue ribbons, in the middle of the road - playing the piano. The photo has recorded evidence that clothes, especially childrens', frequently needed to be home-made from re-used fabric - but sometimes their pattern alignment was a trifle 'unconventional'.

Chandos Secondary Girls' School - the late '40s
featuring girls, teachers and school locations

Science Club, circa 1948 Back row, from the left: 5th is Miss Garrish (sic - actually 'Gerrish'), then Miss Gooch, me, Cynthia Caruthers, (I don't remember the next one), then Olive Lucas at the end. Front row: Rae Lane, Barbara Hall, Doris Turner, … 7th one from the left is Betty Barnes and on the end is Pamela Evans.

The Science Club outing to Brighton, 1948 We stayed at a place called the Girls Guildery for 2 weeks.  We collected sea shells, anemones and we even saw a star fish and other kind of molluscs.  I had a huge jar filled with interesting specimens but suddenly realized on the bus back that I had left them all on the beach. At the back, 2nd from the left, is Miss Gooch and then Miss Garrish.  The famous three, kneeling in the front, are, left to right: Barbara Hall, Doris Turner and Betty Barnes, (they were always together).  I am standing behind Doris Turner - with the 'bangs' (fringe). We had lots of fun with Miss Garrish and Miss Gooch taking us walking on the downs, naming wild flowers, bird museum and saw a 150-year old parrot.  Then going to a museum, where, to my horror, we actually saw a 'real' mummy's hand (all thin and black) under a glass case.

The Science Club at Brighton in 1949 First girl on the left was Barbara Hall, then me, then Cynthia Caruthers, Olive Lucas, Miss Gooch (with the shoulder bag), Miss Garrish with the spectacles, Betty Barns (with her hands held infront to her, Doris Turner, Rae Lane behind Doris, (Doris had dark hair).  Eileen Wanlass is next to the girl with the badge.  I don't remember the names of the others.

School orchestra, 1949 We were having a rehearsal in the hall.  Miss Irene Grimley is the music teacher on the left, holding the baton.  First girl on the left playing the violin is Margaret Kennedy.  5th from the left is me and then, playing the violin, is Beryl Stroud (Beryl and I were friends), Miss Gooch is playing the recorder, Olive Lucas and then Louise Goldstone.  Louise was a marvellous pianist - she was taking the Royal Academy School of Music and had passed her 8th grade.  She just had one more to go and then she could become a piano teacher.  We often gathered around in awe of her playing.

The school gym I am helping someone running along the forms - as we called them then.  I believe this must have been the time before shorts were available.

Girl Guides 1945-46 This picture was taken at Kenton's Anglo Catholic Church grounds when I was 11.  Two other girls that went to Chandos: 6th from the right, sitting down in her brownie uniform is Claudia Bell, 7th from the right at the back, standing, is Theresa Wright.  4th from the right, standing, is me.

Land Rangers 1950 After guides, I joined the Land Rangers at Kingsbury.  You had to be 15 I think.  I really preferred the look of the Sea Rangers - but I don't care for swimming.  I'd rather be on the water than in it. I am the one standing 3rd from the left and Beryl Stroud (playing the violin in the Orchestra photo) is the one on the far right standing.  We kept in touch for years after I emigrated.