Kew Gardens Gallery

Joseph Reardon pictured during service in WWI

Joseph Reardon joined the staff as a gardener in July 1914, having trained at Tully Nurseries, Kildare. He attended Kew's "Mutual improvement Society" scoring the highest numbers in Economic Botany and in October 1914 lectured on Alpines in ireland for the same course. In October 1915 he left to become an Assistant at Cambridge Botanic Gardens, Massachusetts, where he was appointed Curator four years later. He is portrayed here during his wartime naval service

© RBG KEW

Joseph Banks

Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), wealthy philanthropist, natural history lover, patron and first unofficial director of Kew Gardens from about 1773. Used his considerable influence to advance the Royal Gardens at Kew. Travelled with Captain Cook on HMS Endeavour to the South Pacific, visiting South America, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia and Java, from 1768 to 1771. President of the Royal Society 1778 to 1820

© RBG KEW

John Wilfred Sutch

John Wilfred Sutch, born 8 November 1923, worked as a gardener in the T-Range, Palm House and Arboretum. At the age of 18 he left Kew to join the army, joining the 1st Northants Yeomanry as a tank driver. He served in Normandy in the summer of 1944 and was killed during the battle for Falaise Gap. The Journal of the Kew Guild described him as knowledgable, conscientious and as displaying considerable promise

© RBG KEW