Tom Jelley

Thomas William Jelley (1912 – 1989)

 

Tom Jelley was born in Leicestershire on 13th August 1912, his father George Jelley having married Sarah Eyre, the older sister of Jimmy Eyre.

 

Tom joined the Company in 1931 as a grinder and polisher of stainless steel butchers rails, at a time when this work represented 10% of the Company's turnover.  Tom worked first in Berry Place off Goswell Road, however he resigned in June 1937, re-joining in March 1939 at the Angel Road works.

 

After we ceased the butchers sundries business in 1962, Tom started the scurfing and grinding of mincer knives and plates, moving to Haverhill in 1968 with his wife and son.

 

In 1977 he was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, and also received the Silver Jubilee Medal.

 

On his retirement in September 1982, Lion News reported that Tom, ‘a shy and taciturn man, who perhaps preferred his dogs to some of the human species, served the Company conscientiously and loyally throughout his 51 years.  A man of many skills, he was adaptable and always prepared to turn his hand to anything that required doing.  A real character, he will be missed at Rookwood Way.'

 

Tom presented his medals to the Company at a small ceremony in 1986.

 

Thomas Jelley, B.E.M., died at home in Haverhill on July 10th 1989.