Thomas George Tickler (1852-1938) J.P. (of jam fame) c1910.

An original photographic portrait by Jackson & Son, Publishers, Grimsby “JAY EM JAY” SERIES GY.

Thomas George Tickler was born in Withern, near Louth. His wife, Frances Wells, was also from Withern. All of their 5 sons survived WW1.

Thomas George Tickler became mayor of Grimsby in 1907 and M.P. of Great Grimsby in 1914. He started in business as a grocer and eventually ran one of Grimsby’s largest factories. Ticklers Fruit Growers & Preservers made jam and marmalade. At the start of WW1, they got the contract for making plum and apple jam for the British Army and became a household name throughout the UK.

Empty Ticklers jam tins were used as artillery in trench warfare as improvised, early grenades.

Tickler’s closed in 1957 and, for a short time, the factory was used by Robertsons.

Does anyone have original pictures or items relating to Tickler’s which we could feature here e.g. photos of ‘Tickler’s Angels’ or fruit harvesting or tins which contained Nell Gwynn marmalade or WW1 jam?