Audlem History Society March Talk

The Amazing Johnny G

This month's talk about "The Amazing Johnny G – the man who built faces" was given by Ros Unwin – author of the book " Unsung Heroes of Wartime Stoke" and Jane Pugh, a former patient.

The talk started on a poignant note when Jane read out a letter that had been sent to the Staffordshire Sentinel by David Byes who had undergone 15 operations to rebuild his severely damaged face caused by a mortar bomb whilst fighting in Greece. David asked the Sentinel to help him say how much he appreciated everything that had been done for him to make his life worth living again.

John Grocott was born in Fenton on January 1910. As a child he was always interested in building and fixing things – a skill that would be put into good use as a plastic surgeon – despite him having big hands!

Throughout WW2 John carried out some 350 plastic operations a year including on women munition workers from Swynnerton Royal Ordnance Factory.

John had a lifetime interest in cars, mainly Alvis and Jaguar with at least 5 on the go at any one time for repair and conversion. He installed a telephone line in his garage in case of calls from the hospital. He eventually designed and built his own car in the late 1950's known as the Jaguar Grocott which is still in existence today.

To raise the profile of John Grocott a small display was assembled in the Potteries Museum in January 2025 and in May a blue plaque will be unveiled at Fenton Town Hall.

Both Ros and Jane gave us a fascinating and informative insight into this amazing man and several members of the audience took the opportunity to purchase a copy of Ros's book to find out more about him.

Next meeting

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, April 17th when Mike Tingle will give a talk on "The Lion, the Wich and the Waller" – about the Lion Salt Works.