Leslie Frederick Jewell

1912 - 2005

Leslie Frederick Jewell was born in Whipton, on the outskirts of Exeter, and lived in the same house in Whipton Village Road for all his life. He trained at the Exeter firm of J Wippel & Co, supplier of ecclesiastical fabrics and clothes who at that time were also involved in the repair and restoration of church interiors. During World War II he served in the Royal Engineers and following the war he became master carver to Herbert Read Ltd of Exeter. He was responsible for the carving in many of the company's major commissions, including the work at Windsor Castle after the fire; the Houses of Parliament; Exeter Cathedral and the magnificent interior of Washington DC National Cathedral.

Jewell's employment meant he was constantly working in the gothic style, however, for pleasure he would turn to nature for his inspiration and he produced a small number of wonderfully complex carvings of birds and animals. He would occasionally exhibit these carvings at local shows and competitions but they were primarily executed for his own pleasure.