The fate of Mrs Tempest’s gardener

We had a lovely surprise when a car on the drive announced the unexpected arrival of Philip and Wendy Watmough. Whilst holidaying in North Yorkshire, Philip and Wendy decided they would try to find the birthplace of Philip’s father, Arthur. Arthur Harry Watmough was born on 27th October 1926 at Hob Green, the youngest of eight
children. On his birth certificate the occupation of his father, Harry Rye Watmough, is given as “Gardener (domestic)”. Our interest was roused by the mention of a gardener. Watmough was not a name we had heard of at Hob Green and Philip knew little of his grandfather’s time working here.

The 1901 Census reveals that at age 16 Harry was living with his father in Burley Village, Leeds and was working in the clothing trade. His father is listed as an artist/sculptor. In 1911
Harry, now married, was working as a gardener at Todwick Grange near Sheffield. During the First World War Harry joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a gunner.

 

Harry Watmough in later life

In 1926 Hob Green was occupied by a well-known antiquarian, Mrs Eleanor Blanche Tempest (née Reynard). Mrs Tempest was by then a widow, her husband Arthur Tempest of Broughton Hall, Skipton having died in 1920. In 1922 she moved to Hob Green renting the house from her brother Frederick Reynard. Mrs Tempest was the last of the Reynard family to occupy the property. The lease of the house and gardens was for a term of 10 years at a rent of £150 per year and included the coachman’s, gardener’s and chauffeur’s cottages. As the head gardener Harry Watmough with his wife and eight children will have occupied the gardener’s cottage, a modest three-bedroom property.

 

Eleanor Blanche Tempest

Mrs Tempest died on 26th January 1928 and her tenancy came to an end. What happened to her employees? The answer seems to be that they were out of work, which in Harry’s case meant that he and his young family were homeless as well. Harry had to find new work and he therefore places an advertisement in The Yorkshire Post on 6th March 1928 which reads:

“Gardener, Head. Working, life experience, all branches, public and private; age 42, married; leaving through death; highly recommended – Watmough, Hob Green, Markington, Harrogate”.

By June the house is being advertised to let. At a time of rising unemployment leading up to the depression of the early 1930s hopefully Harry quickly found a new job and a new house. He died in 1959.

 

Harry Watmough’s advertisement

By Andrew Hutchinson