These are pictures of my great-grandfather, John Jeffery, 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 around 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.
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.
Great Grandfather
Some of his army chums, on parade and on the march.