| No. in Admissions Register: | 486 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | None |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission and term: | 17 May 1873 3 years |
| Late residence: | Hanley |
| Parish he belongs to: | Hanley |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Potter |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing iron |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Not known |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 17 March 1873, Hanley Petty Sessions, C Adams and W H Yates |
| Where imprisoned: | Stafford |
| Sentence: | 2 months prison (hard labour), 3 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | Two |
| Length: | 1) 7 days; 2) 21 days and whipped |
| For what: | 1) Stealing iron; 2) stealing money |
| Father's name: | John Bickerton |
| Occupation: | Bricklayer's labourer |
| Mother's name: | Ann Bickerton |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | - |
| Character of parents | Honest, sober, and healthy |
| Parents' wages: | 18s |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Refuses to pay but could very well pay 1s per week |
| Parents address: | 33 Newhall Street, Hanley |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | Mr Williams, Hanley |
| Person making this return: | - |
Notes:
| 22 March 1873 There is a report of the offence in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 22 March 1873 p.7 col.2: STEALING IRON. - William Bickerton, a lad living with his father In New Hall Street, was charged with stealing a quantity of iron, value 1s. on the 13th March. Job Haywood, a watchman in the employ of Earl Granville, said he saw the prisoner breaking up some old iron at the Lady's Well pit. He took part of it away In a basket, and as soon as he saw witness, bolted, leaving the iron behind him. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and having been convicted of felony previously. was sent to gaol for two months, and ordered at the expiration of that time to be sent to a Reformatory for three yearn |
| 23 May 1876 Should have left on the 16th, but was ill and left today |
| 31(?) May 1876 There is a letter from the boy (but signed William Bickerton). Spelling and punctuation as given: Dear friends, I now have the pleasure of writing these few lines to you hoping they will find you all quite well has I am myself I send my best love to all the boys and I am very glad to let you know that I have got a very good of work and I am getting on very well. But I have not forgot what I promised to send Mrs Hill. I shall come over in august and I shall bring you a present then. Please to write back as soon as you can to let me know how you are getting on. Please to give my kind love to Mrs Williams and to young Edward. Dear sir I am very glad to tell you that I am going to Liverpool a week a Monday for a fornight. Dear sir I was sorry that we missed the ten minutes past two. So no more at present from me, I remain your humble and obedient servant, William Bickerton |
James Hughes - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 70 |
| Date of admission: | 19 April 1855 |
| Weekly payments: | - |
| Age: | 13 |
| Education: | Reads little |
| Previous employment: | None |
| Crimes, how often and in what prison: | 4 |
| Training in reformatory: | Absconded 31 March 1857 |
| When left reformatory: | - |
| Parentage and family: | Both living |
| Residence: | Smithfield St., Liverpool |
| Trade of father: | - |
| With whom the boy is placed: | - |
| Address: | - |
| Trade: | - |
Notes:
| [No date] In Admissions Register, states that Hughes was committed by the Magistrates Court to 1 month prison then 5 years at Saltley. |
| 16 March 1855 Although the details of the sentence differ from those given in the Admissions Register, there is a possible rep[ort of his crime in the Liverpool Mercury Fri 16 March 1855, p.12, col.6: POCKET PICKING. – A boy, scarcely twelve years of age, named James Hughes, was committed to gaol for three months, for stealing a handkerchief from the pocket of Alexander Sorby, in London Road, on Monday. The prisoner, notwithstanding his youth, had previously been committed several times. |
| 4 April 1857 In the Reformatory Minute book is recorded: 425.Mr Humphreys reported that Rooney [boy 63] and Tremble [boy 64] had absconded this day after attempting to pass bad money at a shop in the neighbourhood, and that the man who called at the school kept the halfcrown, and the charge against the boys can be proved. |
| 426. Resolved: that information be sent to Mr Stephens at the Police Courts, and that proceedings be taken against Rooney and Tremble, also against Carlton [boy 91], Taylor [boy 92], Collins [boy 100], and Hughes, who absconded on the 1st of April. |
| 20 April 1857 The Minute book records: 446. Mr Ratcliff mentioned that none of the boys mentioned in Minutes 425 and 426 have been taken [they absconded], and that Welch [boy 96], Wood [boy 67], Hughes, Smith [boy 78], and Cassidy [boy 94] have since absconded, and that Wood and Cassidy are now in prison for absconding, and Smith has been allowed by the Magistrates to return to the School. |
| Resolved: that the Police of the several districts where the boys reside be informed of their having absconded. |
| 3 June 1857 The Minute Book list those boys who have absconded and are still at large, including Hughes. |
Henry Smith [618]- Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 618 |
| Age: | 11 |
| Whence received: | Nottingham Gaol |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | - |
| Hair colour: | - |
| Eyes colour: | - |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | - |
| State of health: | - |
| Able-bodied? | - |
| Date of admission: | 22 August 1878 |
| Late residence: | Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire |
| Parish he belongs to: | Newark |
| Customary work and mode of life: | None |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Stealing pears growing in a garden |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 12 August 1878; R Tidd Pratt and E H Siddell; Newark upon Trent, Nottinghamshire |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Gaol, Nottingham |
| Sentence: | 10 days prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 1 |
| Length: | 3 days |
| For what: | Stealing fruit |
| Father's name: | James Smith |
| Occupation: | Maltster |
| Mother's name: | Mary Smith |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Kind |
| Character of parents | Nothing known about their honesty and sobriety. Health good |
| Parents' wages: | - |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | James and Mary Smith, Tenter Buildings, Appleton Gate, Newark upon Trent |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
Notes:
| 18 April 1881 Gave him 6 cuts across the hands for receiving stolen carrots from E Russell [boy 623] |
| 25 November 1881 At this date the parents live at 24 Appleton Gate, Newark, Notts |
| 1 February 1883 Licensed to Mr Darcy 13 Wilson Street, Newark |
Arthur Littlejohn - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 818 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Birmingham |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Sallow |
| Hair colour: | Dark brown |
| Eyes colour: | Dark brown |
| Height: | 4 ft 9 ins |
| Particular marks: | - |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 23 June 1886 |
| Late residence: | 26A Warwick Street, Deritend, Birmingham |
| Parish he belongs to: | Bloxwich |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Bridle bit filing at Charrington's, Walsall |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Stealing 2 bottles of porter |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Father's a cripple and mother a dissolute person |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 10 June 1886; T C S Kynnersley; Birmingham Police Court |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Birmingham |
| Sentence: | 14 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 1 (March 1885) |
| Length: | 7 days Beal House |
| For what: | Sleeping out |
| Father's name: | George Littleton |
| Occupation: | (A cripple) |
| Mother's name: | Sarah Littleton |
| Occupation: | Nil |
| Parents dead? | No |
| Survivor married again? | No |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Mother's treatment is brutal |
| Character of parents | Father a cripple, mother drunken |
| Parents' wages: | Father earns a trifle occasionally by doing odd light jobs |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | Lichfield |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
| Notes: | |
| 11 April 1889 Formally discharged from Saltley by order of the Home Secretary, on account of emigrating to Canada, along with Ward [boy 761] and Bishop [boy 831] | |
| 6 August 1889 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Littleton, via Mr Donaldson [the Reformatory's agent in Canada dealing with emigrants], Toronto | |
William Tinklin - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 1075 |
| Age: | 12 (born 17 August 1881) |
| Whence received: | Cardiff Petty Sessions |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Light brown |
| Eyes colour: | Blue |
| Height: | 4 ft 7½ ins |
| Particular marks: | Small mole right hip; scar on right forearm inside |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 11 July 1894 |
| Late residence: | 53 Topaz Street, Cardiff |
| Parish he belongs to: | - |
| Customary work and mode of life: | - |
| Whether illegitimate: | - |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing £15 from a lodger |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 11 July 1894; Richard L Spencer; Cardiff Petty Sessions |
| Where imprisoned: | Not |
| Sentence: | 4 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | Nil (but 4 years ago the lad stole £4 which he spent on beer etc and was forgiven) |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | Henry Tinklin |
| Occupation: | Cab driver |
| Mother's name: | Mary Tinklin |
| Occupation: | Housewife |
| Parents dead? | - |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Good |
| Parents' wages: | - |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | - |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | D Reid, Justices' Clerk |
| Notes: | |
| 5 July 1894 There is a report of the crime in the South Wales Daily News Thursday 5 July 1894 p.3 col.6: YOUTHFUL CARDIFF THIEVES. Three boys, named respectively Wm. Tinklin (aged 12), John Soloman (12), and Hy. Lucas (13) were brought up on bail at Cardiff Town-hall on Wednesday charged with stealing the sum of £15 in gold from a box in the back bedroom at No. 53, Topaz-street, some time between the 14th of June and the 3rd inst., the property of John White.-Prosecutor, who is a cabdriver, told the court that he left the money in the box, which he looked on the 14th of June, but on Tuesday morning, upon going to the box, he found the bag in which he had left the money empty. Witness had lodged at the house for eight years, and the prisoner Tinklin was his landlord's son. - P.C. Yendle said that on the 3rd inst. the three prisoners were handed over into his custody by prosecutor, who said they had stolen the money from the box. Tinklin said, "Yes, I took it," but the other prisoners said nothing, and witness then took the trio to Roath Police-station. Here they were formally charged. Tinklin said that he stole the money last Monday week, and went to Ilfracombe, Weston, and Penarth. Soloman re- marked that Tinklin gave him some of the money to go with him, and he went. - Lucas and Soloman were discharged. - Prosecutor, replying to questions, said Tinklin had robbed him four years ago of £14. - Tinklin was remanded for a week, in order that inquiries might be instituted with the object ot putting him in a reformatory. The sentence of five years in a reformatory was very briefly reported in the same newspaper of 12 July 1894 p.7 col.7. | |
| 11 July 1894 Eight days after entering the School absconded, but was caught very quickly and brought back | |
| 18 June 1898 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Tinklin was licensed to go out and work for Mr Barber, Neville Street, Cardiff | |
| 10 July 1898 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley | |
| 13 December 1898 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Tinklin, Cardiff | |
| 13 June 1899 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Tinklin, Cardiff | |
| 12 December 1899 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Tinklin, Pontypool, Monmouthshire | |
| 11 December 1900 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Tinklin, Deal | |
| 9 August 1904 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Tinklin, Channel Fleet | |
| 28 December 1910 Given the unusual surname and the occupation, it is possible that he performed an act of bravery, as reported in the Evening Express [Cardiff] Wednesday 28 December 1910 p.2 col.9: MARINE HELPS CONSTABLE George Alfred Rees (24) was charged at Cardiff to-day with using bad language and assaulting Police-constable Dimond in Meteor-street. When requested to go away. Rees, it was stated, struck the constable on the mouth and kicked him savagely. Private W. Tinklin. R.M.L.I., of his Majesty's ship Mars, stationed at Devonport, came to the constable's aid. and was also assaulted. Rees, who had six previous appearances against him. was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, and the Bench thanked Private Tinklin for his timely assistance to the police. | |