A Village of Artists
Bushey has a unique and unusual history. In the 1880s Hubert Herkomer, a Bavarian artist, opened an Art School in the village. Over a period of twenty years it was attended by about 600 international students. A number settled in the village and during the First World War they contributed to life on the Home Front and by serving overseas.
Lucy Kemp-Welch and her sister, Edith, designed war recruitment posters and Lucy’s paintings showed the role played by horses during the war. Septimus Power, an official war artist for the Australian Imperial Forces, painted some of his large war canvases in the Meadow Studio in Bushey. John Sylvester ‘Jack’ Wheelwright became a distinguished airship pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Hubert Herkomer
SERVING ABROAD
WILLIAM HENRY BENNETT served in the war as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Sherwood Foresters. He was killed in action on 11 April 1917, aged 40. He was the son of William and Jemima Burney Bennett of ‘High Level’, Merry Hill Road, Bushey. He is buried at the St Leger British Cemetery in France and is commemorated on the Bushey cenotaph, on the memorial plaque in St James’ parish church and at the Bushey Conservative Club, where he was a member.
BUSHEY VILLAGE
by William Henry Bennett
Courtesy of Bushey Museum and Art Gallery
Private WILLIAM SEWELL of the Bedfordshire Regiment was killed in action on 23 April 1917 at the age of 40. He was the husband of Margaret Sewell of ‘Chester Cottage’, Bushey Heath. Their daughter, Phillada, became an actress. He is buried at Arras Memorial in France and is commemorated on the Bushey cenotaph and on the memorial in St Peter’s parish church, Bushey Heath.
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ON THE HOME FRONT
Albert Chewett, classified as unfit for military service, remained on the Home Front and served as a Special Constable and as a National Motor Volunteer. He painted ‘Firelight’ at ‘Reveley Lodge’, Bushey Heath, in 1915 for an exhibition to raise money for the Red Cross. He continued to live there until his death in 1965 and the painting is still on display in the house.
FIRELIGHT
Albert Ranney Chewett
Painted at Reveley Lodge in 1915 for an exhibition to raise money for the Red Cross
Courtesy of Bushey Museum and Art Gallery