I was born in Watford (as was my wife) in 1935, and lived in Bushey until moving to Bracknell in 1972, retiring to Dorset in 1995.
The Nostalgia pages were first brought to my attention by a school pal, Martin Reed, with whom I am still in touch, and whose letter you published in May 8,1998, issue.
Martin and I were among the 1947 intake of the Watford Central School, subsequently moving to the new Bushey Grammar School in 1950.
I have enclosed a photocopy of a small print of the girls' class of that year, not very good quality I am afraid. I have listed the names as I remember them. Unfortunately, so far as I know, no equivalent boys' photo was ever taken. But for your information, I have enclosed their names also, errors and omissions excepted.
Regarding the photo of the WCS girls in the July 2,1999, issue, (and ref. Joan Santler in August 13,1999, issue), the picture may have been taken in 1947 but I think they were in the 5th form then, i.e. they are the intake of 1942 or 1943.1 do not recognise any of the girls. Miss Rice, yes!
My wife's parents are still living in Sotheron Road after more than 60 years - my wife was born there - and they recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Needless to say they are not in the best of health.
My father, Les, is now 95, and has been living in the area since before the First World War, having spent all his working life at Sun Printers. So he has some memories of the old days.
I have a copy of your The Millennium Collection 1925 to1949. In it is a photo of the children's ward at Bushey Cottage Hospital in the 1930's. I spent six weeks in that ward when I broke my leg around 1938/9.
Watford Central School intake of 1947:-
Boys: Barber Stan; Batchelor Robert; Bradstreet Ron; Bray B; Brightman Michael; Canvin Edwin; Childs Michael; Combley Fred; Coster Derek; Cutler Gary; Cutler Peter; Darling Brian; Deacon Peter; Deane Roy; Gigg Brian; Glover Bob; Harris Brian; Harris Jeff; Hawkins Brian; Hearn Peter; Hiscock Peter; Hodge Alan; Hogan Terry; Hughes Tony (?); Johnson Brian; Kelly Bernard; Lindsay James; Perkins R; Reed Martin; Reynolds M; Rourke Chris; Ryley Malcolm; Scarth Ken; Toombs C; Woelfell Brian; Wood J; Wolstenholme Geoff; Woollcott Michael; Wright Peter.
Girls: Amor Doreen; Andrews Marion; Allen Eileen; Allen Jean; Armes Audrey; Bannister Pamela; Barclay Olive; Beswick Dorothy; Bright Doreen; Burton Mary; Cannings Jeanne; Durling Pat; Davis Ann; Ellis Miriam; Farrell Shirley; Ferris Shirley; Gilham Betty; Gill Shirley; Gomme Jean; Hall Sheila; Hammond Ann; Johnson Doreen; Kiely Helen; Madigan Margaret; Maisey Jeanne; Males Pauline; Mansell Pat; Noy Pat; Parsons June; Plested Sylvia; Randall Susan; Redding Sylvia; Scott Valerie; Soden Vera; Taylor Sylvia; Turner Daphne; Tyler Brenda; Ward Margaret; Wright Muriel.
Click on this picture to enlarge it.
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