These are pictures of my great-grandfather, John Jeffrey, who was born in Cromford, Derbyshire, in 1878. I always knew him as Grandad “Tiggy”. In 1900, he was accepted at Kew Gardens to begin his horticultural training, something I have always thought was a wonderful achievement. After finishing there, he became head gardener to the pottery owner Godfrey Wedgwood at Idlerocks in Moddershall, Staffordshire, while my great-grandmother, Joanna Lee (née Armitage, born in 1877), worked there as housekeeper. Later, he served with the Xth Corps Cyclist  Battalion in France and Belgium before returning to Idlerocks at the end of the First World War. He loved steam trains, and over the years he built up a remarkable collection of railway postcards that became a lasting part of how I remember him.
 

Acceptance letter from the curator at Kew Gardens to my great-grandfather.

(Move your mouse over it to read the other side)

The staff at Kew Gardens, June 1907.

The staff at Kew Gardens, June 1900.

Godfrey Wedgwood’s home, Idlerocks, in 1902.

Godfrey Wedgwood appears in this photograph with his second wife, Hope Elizabeth Wedgwood. By this time, he had lost his right leg.

The gardening team at Idlerocks — my great-grandfather is the one wearing the bowler hat.

Great-grandad in uniform, his dog tag, cap badge and cover of the

Xth Corps Cycle Battalion booklet, his entry under B. Company.

Some of his army chums, on parade and on the march.

From left to right, my great-grandmother, my aunt, great-grandfather and my father sitting by the greenhouse at Idlerocks.

Above, his love of steam trains, left, taking me (in the pushchair) and my sister Lynne to see the trains.

In later years, still loving his garden.

Great Gandfather