20.06.1951 – 22.12.2023
By Katie Dodd, former England and Ealing Ladies’ Hockey Club teammate.
The Hockey Museum (THM) is saddened to report the news of the death of Sheila Cornwallis, one of the characters of women’s hockey. As a left or right wing, Sheila was known for her explosive change of pace, hard hitting and goal scoring. Sheila joined Ealing Ladies’ Hockey Club as a schoolgirl in 1965 and went on to play for Middlesex Juniors then Middlesex seniors (1971-‘83). She represented the South (1973-‘83), England B (1974-‘78), and England (1981) where she was awarded five caps. Arguably, Sheila could have been awarded many more England caps but her combative and no-nonsense approach to life meant that she often didn’t see eye to eye with coaches and some other hockey players. She was someone you would always prefer to play with, rather than against. That said, for those who played with her week in and week out, she was the heart of the team and in her club Ealing, where she was much loved, she involved herself fully in all aspects of life – playing, coaching, umpiring and administration.
Sheila left London in 1987 to live in Wiltshire, joining Chippenham Ladies’ Hockey Club where she continued her whole-hearted club involvement, playing, coaching, umpiring, administration and even on occasion preparing the (grass) hockey pitch by mowing and white lining! She was a live wire during Easter hockey tours to Penzance. In 1990, she moved to Leicester where she joined Leicester Ladies’ Hockey Club, returning to Chippenham in 1992 where she continued to play as first team captain. When she finished playing, Sheila continued to umpire and coach; she also took up bowls – another sport that would benefit from her energy, administrative abilities and no doubt, some straight talking.
Her final professional venture involved a move to Scotland where she ran a hotel in Aberdeenshire. Even after she left Ealing LHC, she was still a regular at the club ‘Past-members Days’ and the annual curry night where she would regale all with her latest exploits.
In recent years, Sheila’s health had deteriorated following the onset of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and a stroke in late December saw her admitted to hospital where she died on 22 December. She will be remembered by many as the friend with the purple hair, the dangly earrings and a larger-than-life personality who had such a positive influence on so many.
A tribute to Sheila Cornwallis
By Netta Forward, former Ealing Ladies’ Hockey Club captain and life-time friend.
I first met Sheila in 1965 when, as a 14 year old, she joined Ealing LHC as a pupil of Walpole Grammar School. Even then she was an unusual mix – outspoken, fun, frightening to boys and a prodigious sporting talent. She not only played hockey but was also good at athletics, tennis, swimming and netball. She only played for Ealing for two years before moving to Australia with parents, Marjorie and Jim and two brothers. They returned two years later and Sheila then went to Chelsea College of Physical Education in Eastbourne to train as a teacher. While at Chelsea her sporting talents developed and she represented the college at both hockey and cricket. Leaving college, Sheila cut her teeth as a teacher at Rectory Comprehensive School in Hampton, Middlesex where she inspired many pupils and made lasting friendships in the staffroom as well as an enduring impression at a staff party when she turned up wearing a tutu. In one staff versus pupils cricket match, she scored six ‘6s’ in one over to speed the staff to victory. That said, on occasions, senior management still needed to use copious amounts of oil to smooth her impact!
Other memories of Sheila in the 1970s include a wild ‘afro’-style haircut, (at least it wasn’t purple at that stage), reading every Mills & Boon novel, a love for baked, stuffed lamb hearts, and her marriage to Olly Harding. She was also rising up the ranks in hockey, representing first Middlesex, then South and England B before an eventual selection for England. She had the honour of playing at Wembley in 1981, in front of the Queen and over 60,000 screaming schoolgirls, where she laid on the final pass that led to the winning goal against Wales. Sheila also played mixed hockey where she enjoyed the social aspects of the many festivals she attended.
The England women’s team that defeated Wales 2-1 at Wembley in 1981. Sheila is kneeling centre. Photograph by Pat Ward, from Hockey Field magazine.
By now, Sheila had honed her organisational skills which were to stand her in great stead for the rest of her life. She took on many administrative roles at the club and you needed to be sure that you didn’t ignore any instruction from Sheila! Her post-match teas were legendary, especially her millionaire shortbread. She enjoyed the after-match social in the bar and while not a big drinker, she had an extraordinary ability to down a pint in record time – she was a star in many boat race teams! She loved rules and qualified and practiced as a hockey, cricket and later bowls umpire. She was also the only person I know who really knew the rules of rounders.
In the early 1980s, Angela Cannell (now Cumine), joined Ealing having moved south to become a lecturer at St Mary’s College, Twickenham. Following the end of Sheila’s marriage, Angela became Sheila’s lodger. When they got home from work Sheila would change out of a tracksuit and put on a dress and Angela did the opposite. More importantly, they became lifelong friends and in recent years she was a regular Christmas guest with Angela, husband Des and son Scott.
In the late 1980s, Sheila and her new partner Rupert moved to Wiltshire where she joined Chippenham Ladies’ Hockey Club before moving up to Leicestershire where she played for Leicester Ladies’ Hockey Club. A change of profession saw her become the administrator for a knitwear company. She then returned to Wiltshire where she was appointed the Examinations Administrator for the military academy at Shrivenham. She re-joined Chippenham Sports Club, took up bowls and found ‘Jam & Jerusalem’ as President of the local Women’s Institute.
Sheila’s final professional venture was as proprietor of The Seaford Arms Hotel in Cullan, Scotland. She ran this listed Georgian, ex-coaching establishment with 26 bedrooms, a posh restaurant and a street bar. She was delighted when her great friend Nevill, re-located to Scotland from Wiltshire to support her in this venture. Numerous old friends would also travel up to stay as guests at this lovely old hotel.
Unfortunately, her final years in Scotland were marred by ill health and the onset of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and the effects of the treatment. She moved back to Wiltshire and resumed her links with Chippenham Sports Club playing bowls and skittles. She loved jigsaws and meeting up with old friends. Despite her poor health she still packed lots in and refused to complain about her lot.
Sheila enjoyed her talents, her drive and her capacity for friendships but she was less fortunate with her health battles. To borrow from Rudyard Kipling, Sheila treated the twin imposters of triumph and disaster in the same way – with humour, realism and her chin up.
