Saturday, March 20, 2010

Big Grandad





This is my father's family - his paternal grandparents Albert George Jiggins
and Elizabeth Ann Mundy (who became grandma Jiggins), his father Harold and his Aunty Ivy.
(Both photos will enlarge a bit if clicked)



At a glance, these pictures look as if they were taken on the same day, but Grandma's blouse is different - also, I think possibly the children look a little older in the 2nd photo?

But the children's clothes do look the same in both photos, so maybe they were wearing their Sunday best. I think my aunty Queen's dress looks a little more roomy in the first picture.

There are quite a few photos of grandpa and grandma Albert and Elizabeth Jiggins, my great grandparents. No photos from earlier stages in their lives than this, but from this sort of time onwards, and I'll post about them again some time.

My grandfather, Harold George is on the right - and he became quite interested in photography, which is why we have some lovely photos of his parents.

On the left is his sister Ivy - who became known as Queenie, who I always knew as Aunty Queen.

There was a child born between Harold and Ivy - Alfred Cecil - who died at the age of 5.

Harold, my grandad, was born in 1901 - here he is looking serious, formal and carefully nonchalant.


In this picture he strikes me as looking a little too young for that stiff collar and moustache - I see something touchingly vulnerable in this picture.



and here is a photo I love. My grandad closer to the way I knew him. We called him "Big Grandad" - he was tall, and this distinguished him from my other "Little" grandad.

This is grandad in his Home Guard uniform during WW2 - he looks really quite like John Le Mesurier from "Dads Army".



He was a lovely gentle man. I remember his quiet smile, and how he'd put an arm around me and ask how things were. And how I, teenager and embarrassed, would squirm away.



Here are other Sepia Saturday posts.

19 comments:

Martin said...

That resemblance to John Le Mesurier is uncanny. And Albert George Jiggins looks a little like King George V with that marvellous moustache.

Very nice photographs and post.

Akelamalu said...

Lovely memories Lettuce. :)

My grandchildren call my father 'Big Grandad' to distinguish him from MWM who is just 'grandad' :)

Vicki Lane said...

A nice progression of pictures! and such sweet memories. I'm intrigued by Ivy -- she looks quite self-possessed.

Reya Mellicker said...

I love Sepia Saturday, love it that so many honor their ancestors on Saturdays.

Your whole family is so good looking! Wow.

The Clever Pup said...

Hi Lettuce - I love looking at pictures of these English ancestors of yours. Sadly, I don't think we're related.

In the second picture from the top, Harold is wearing an arm band. But apart from that, I think Sunday Best was Sunday Best until they grew out of it.

mouse (aka kimy) said...

wonderful post! you have such a remarkably rich collection of photos!

Barry said...

He has a wonderful smile, especially in the final photo. My father always maintained that his favourite name for a girl was "Queenie". We boys used to think that was funny.

Lisa Ursu said...

Queenie!
I love the flowers the ladies are holding in the first pic.

"And how I, teenager and embarrassed, would squirm away."
I really felt that.
I had the same moments in my youth with relatives.

Thanks for sharing.

ArtSparker said...

Wonderful face he had...He seems to be extending himself out, to have that sort of trust.

Dumdad said...

Great photos. And I love the surname Jiggins.

tony said...

John Le Mesurier For Sure! Lovely Gentle People.Thanks For The View.

L. D. said...

I really like the last photo most. It tells one of his gentle character. It is a great story.

Anonymous said...

I have not been doing SS long but I am so encouraged to look for more photos. I love your pictures and story. So many family our age had WWII photos. I did 2 of my uncles last week. Blessings
QMM

Christine H. said...

The last photo is also my favorite, and I agree with you that harold looks a little vulnerable or unsure of himself in the previous two. In the last one, he looks so happy and at ease.

Ronda Laveen said...

Young Grandpa Harold is quite good looking!

e said...

I enjoyed these, but like other commentors, see something special in the last photo...

You've wonderful looking antecedents, Lettuce.

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Alan Burnett said...

Another great post. And yes, as soon as I saw it I noticed the uncanny resemblance to the Dad's Army character. You are fortunate to have had an ancestor who was interested in photography - it seems to have provided you with a magnificent collection of old images.

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