Isobel Kaniewski ( Nee Betty McKimmie ) Personal Memories
Former Heatherwood patient recalls their experiences at a dearly loved hospital.
Isobel Kaniewski contacted us:-
Dear Webmaster,
I have just recently noticed an online publication taken from a pre 1948 'Special Schools' Journal, which relates to a Sunday School event at Heatherwood Hospital.
This is to inform you that I was the girl by the name of 'Betty Mckimmie' who presented the bouquet of flowers. My official name is Isobel and my married name is Kaniewski.
1945-1947
I was a patient at Heatherwood (aged 14), having been transferred from Hackney Hospital, East London, on 8th May, 1945 (VE Day) until my discharge 1947.
I was delighted to discover all the old group photographs on the Web Site, one of which you will see below, I am the girl in the middle of the front row, next to Sister Usher. I have also included two of my own snap-shots of two nurses and Staff Nurse Smith.
I have reached the ripe old age of 87 but have vivid memories of Heatherwood, not forgetting dear Sister Miles and our teacher, Mrs. Brady. Looking back, we were well cared for.
I have my sister to thank for finding the Web Site because she just happened to Google 'Betty Mckimmie' and was surprised to find the 'Sunday School' event at Heatherwood, otherwise I wouldn't have known it existed.
Happy
We all seemed to be happy and it certainly shows on the group photographs. I was laid up in bed for a whole year but was up and about for the second year. We had a few outings, one of which was Ascot Racecourse where we were all treated to ice cream by a famous, Titled Lady (I think it was Lady Astor).
Girls Names
I remember a few of the girls' names, some of whom are in the group photos, Barbara Tucker, Beatrice Hamilton, Gladys Steggle, Barbara Bridgeman, Jean Alder, Joyce Clemson, and I believe Mercy Dixon, who is mentioned in the 'Sunday School' event. I would love to know whether any of them are still alive.
The two Snap-shots I sent to you were of Staff Nurse Smith and little Yvonne Sawyer - her tiny face through the bed railings can barely be seen. The two nurses on the other Snap, Nurse Bell and Nurse Tester.
Please see below the photograph of our Ward Sister Miles, our Teacher, Mrs. Brady and, of course, Miss Ruby Brook, 1st left.
Webmaster writes:- “I took a look at the original pictures from our web site you highlighted. On the back of the photo of Ruby Brook and Mrs Brady some names written on the back which might mean something to you.”:- “Joan Simpson, Rita Hawyes, Lily Culverwell, Doris Story, Brenda Mahony, Shirley Ann Parry, Amelia Gravell, Rosy Rainbow, Margaret Hayter, Ann Yeats.”
Referring to the girls' names, I remember Margaret Hayter and Ann Yates. Lily Culverwell is included in the 'Sunday School' event, however, I wouldn't be able to recognize them in the group photographs.
Webmaster writes:- “Thankyou Isobel for sharing these lovely memories and pictures with us and our visitors. You have allowed us to put names to some of the faces in a number of our pictures previously from the Ruby Brook archive.”
Isobel Kaniewski May 2018
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Below some pictures which exist of happier times:-
