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Bruce West
Description
TitleBruce West
DescriptionBruce West came from Killinchy, attended Killinchy School, and played rugby and tennis for Leeston in the late 1930s and early 1940s. From 1945 he served in WW2 with the Second NZ Expeditionary Force as a Private. A builder by trade, he became an Ellesmere photographer in the 1940s - 1970s. His business was called Ellesmere Photographic Studios (the telephone number was Leeston 715), and he photographed weddings, 21st parties, family groups and other social events around the district.
He made his photographic proofs available at the Ellesmere Guardian newspaper office, where orders could be placed.First NameBruceMiddle NameMaxwellLast NameWestOccupationPhotographerFamilyOlive Frances West - Bruce's wife (died 20 January 2006)Date of Birth1 October 1924Place of BirthLeestonDate of Death20 March 1980Place of DeathLeestonParents or Next of KinMrs. Georgena Elizabeth West, Killinchy, Leeston (mother)
Mr. Douglas McGregor West, Killinchy, Leeston (father)Other Biographical InformationBruce was married to Olive Frances West, they lived at 58 Pennington St, Leeston.
A son, Andrew was born to Olive and Bruce on 8 November 1960, they also had a daughter named Helen.
Bruce's father, Douglas McGregor West served in the Boer War (service no. 7711)
Bruce's siblings were William Douglas McGregor (Gregor/Greg) and Jean West.
Bruce served in the Killinchy Home Guard from the time of its formation, prior to serving with the 2nd NZEF.
DescriptionBruce West came from Killinchy, attended Killinchy School, and played rugby and tennis for Leeston in the late 1930s and early 1940s. From 1945 he served in WW2 with the Second NZ Expeditionary Force as a Private. A builder by trade, he became an Ellesmere photographer in the 1940s - 1970s. His business was called Ellesmere Photographic Studios (the telephone number was Leeston 715), and he photographed weddings, 21st parties, family groups and other social events around the district.He made his photographic proofs available at the Ellesmere Guardian newspaper office, where orders could be placed.
First NameBruceMiddle NameMaxwellLast NameWestOccupationPhotographerFamilyOlive Frances West - Bruce's wife (died 20 January 2006)Date of Birth1 October 1924Place of BirthLeestonDate of Death20 March 1980Place of DeathLeestonParents or Next of KinMrs. Georgena Elizabeth West, Killinchy, Leeston (mother)Mr. Douglas McGregor West, Killinchy, Leeston (father)
Other Biographical InformationBruce was married to Olive Frances West, they lived at 58 Pennington St, Leeston.A son, Andrew was born to Olive and Bruce on 8 November 1960, they also had a daughter named Helen.
Bruce's father, Douglas McGregor West served in the Boer War (service no. 7711)
Bruce's siblings were William Douglas McGregor (Gregor/Greg) and Jean West.
Bruce served in the Killinchy Home Guard from the time of its formation, prior to serving with the 2nd NZEF.
Image
Event
Connections
PlaceKillinchyKarumata LeestonLake EllesmereMore InformationImage of Bruce and Olive WestBruce West Service Record - Cenotaph databaseBruce West wins prizes for flowers, fruit and vegetables at the Killinchy School Flower Show in 1939Private Bruce West is guest of honour at a Killinchy Social by the Patriotic Committee in 1945Private Bruce West is described as the youngest serviceman from Killinchy to go on active serviceBirth of Olive and Bruce West's son in 1960Death notice for Bruce West's father Douglas in 1963
Karumata LeestonLake EllesmereMore InformationImage of Bruce and Olive WestBruce West Service Record - Cenotaph databaseBruce West wins prizes for flowers, fruit and vegetables at the Killinchy School Flower Show in 1939Private Bruce West is guest of honour at a Killinchy Social by the Patriotic Committee in 1945Private Bruce West is described as the youngest serviceman from Killinchy to go on active serviceBirth of Olive and Bruce West's son in 1960Death notice for Bruce West's father Douglas in 1963Military Service
Occupation before EnlistingPhotographerService Number636438Embarkation1945ReinforcementInfantry Reinforcements
Service Number636438Embarkation1945ReinforcementInfantry ReinforcementsAttribution
Researched BySarah DavyWritten BySarah Davy
Written BySarah DavyBruce West. Selwyn Stories, accessed 13/01/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5190
