Walter John Lloyd - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 440 |
| Age: | 13 |
| Whence received: | Birmingham Gaol |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | Scar left shoulder; mole left breast |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission and term: | 7 March 1871 - |
| Late residence: | Heath Lane, Harborne |
| Parish he belongs to: | Portsmouth |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Filer |
| Whether illegitimate: | Not |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing 10s |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 22 February 1871, Birmingham Police Court, T C S Kynnersley |
| Where imprisoned: | Birmingham Borough Prison |
| Sentence: | 14 days prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | None |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | Walter John Lloyd |
| Occupation: | Fitter |
| Mother's name: | Emma Lloyd |
| Occupation: | No trade |
| Parents dead? | No |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Good |
| Parents' wages: | 25s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Ought to pay 1s 6d and will be summoned |
| Parents address: | Heath Lane, Harborne, Birmingham |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | Superintendent Woollaston, West Bromwich |
| Person making this return: | T C S Kynnersley |
| When and how left reformatory: | 30 Jun 1875 - Emigrated to Canada |
Notes:
| 16 February 1871 There is a report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Gazette Thursday 16 February 1871 p.7 col.6: STEALING HALF_A_SOVEREIGN.- Walter John Lloyd (13), brass fitter. Heath Lane, Harborne, was charged with stealing half a-sovereign, the money of his master, James Walsh, 5, Main Street, Sparkbrook, on the 13th inst. On Tuesday night the prisoner was found in a loft on Mr. Buller'a premises, Harborne, by Police-constable Marriott. It was afterwards ascertained that the prisoner had stolen half-a-sovereign, the properly of prosecutor. On Monday, the 13th inst., the prosecutor gave the prisoner the money to pay his club. The prisoner returned in a short time and said he had paid the money. Shortly after the prisoner had left his work at night it was found he had not paid the money.-The prisoner's father stated that his son was a very bad boy, and he could do nothing with him.-Prisoner wan remanded for a week in order that a school might be found for him. |
| 30 June 1875 Emigrated to Canada |
| 10 August 1875 Received a short letter. Works for J Taylor, Stanley Mills, Ontario: Stanley Mills, July 18th 1875, Sir, We arrived here on the 6th of July. I send my kind love to Hall and Mortiboys and to all the rest of the boys. I am very sorry I did not write before, but since I came here I have had no time. I have got a very good place. I am to have 60 dollars a year and everything found me but clothes. I am on a farm and so is Bliss. We had a very bad shock a-coming over. We struck on something and it frightened us all. We lay to, all one night in the fog and ice all we had a pleasant for about 10 days [written thus]. I am very thankful to you for send us out as you did. You must excuse my bad writing, for I am in a hurry to get to church and school. I send my kind love to you and misses, to Mr Birkmire, to all the men. So now I must conclude with my best wished to you all. I remain, Your humble servant, W J Lloyd, In care of J Taylor, Stanley Mills, Ont. |
Stephen Wood - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 693 |
| Age: | 12 |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Light brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | Cut on right eye |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 4 March 1882 |
| Late residence: | Leek, Staffordshire |
| Parish he belongs to: | Leek |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Potting |
| Whether illegitimate: | - |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing pig pudding |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Bad company |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 18 February 1882; W T Walley and E Powell; Hanley Court of Summary Jurisdiction |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Sentence: | 14 days in prison, 4 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | None |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | Stephen Wood |
| Occupation: | Potter |
| Mother's name: | Sarah Wood |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Drunken |
| Parents' wages: | 15s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | 6d per week |
| Parents address: | 15 Leek New Road, Hanley, Staffordshhire |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | Herbert Windle, Hanley, Staffordshire |
| Person making this return: | - |
Notes:
| 11 August 1881 A previous offence was reported in the Staffordshire Sentinel Thursday 11 August 1881 p.3 col.6: A YOUTHFUL THIEF. - Stephen Wood, a lad of twelve, was charged with stealing and converting to his own use 7s., the money of Joseph Dean, confectioner, 44, Pall Mall. - Joseph Dean deposed that the lad had occasionally done odd jobs for him. On Monday, the 8th inst., complainant requiring some sugar, gave the lad 7s. in copper, and told him go to Mr. Riseby's, in Parliament-row. The lad did not return, and he had never seen him since until now in Court. - Sarah Wood, the mother of the prisoner, who had herself delivered her son up to the police, said that it was indiscreet on the part of Mr. Dean to trust a lad with so much copper at such a time. - The Bench said that it was a matter of consideration whether they should not send prisoner to a Reformatory, but as that course would necessitate a month's imprisonment previously, they would give him another chance. Prisoner was an old offender, having already been flogged for stealing, and was again sentenced to receive twelve strokes of the birch. |
| 14 September 1881 The father was summoned in July (as reported in the Staffordshire Sentinel 19 July 1881 p.3 col.3) for allowing his son to not attend school, but the case was held over for two months. The hearing was briefly reported in the Staffordshire Sentinel Wednesday 14 September 1881 p.3 col.4: SCHOO:BOARD CASE.- Stephen Wood, 50, Leek-road, was summoned at the instance of Mr. Hall, school board officer, for the non attendance of his stepson at school. The case was adjourned two months ago, to allow the lad time for improvement; but his attendance in the meantime was only thirteen out of a possible forty-six. - A fine of 5s. was inflicted. John Kilkenny, a carter, |
| 15 September 1881 Another previous offence was reported in the Sraffordshire Sentinel Thursday 15 September 1881 p.3 col.4: STONE THROWING. - Three lads, named Alfred Wilson, 11; William Brown, 12; and Stephen Wood, 12; were respectively charged by P C. Collier, with stone-throwing in Leek New- road, on Friday, the 7th inst. - Repeated complaints had been made to the police of the damage done to property by stone- throwing in that neighbourhood. Pleading guilty, they were each fined 5s., including costs. The youth Wood is an old offender, having been twice before the Court for stealing, and only yesterday for non-attendance at school |
Walter Cross - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 880 |
| Age: | 15½ |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Lincoln |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Height: | 4 ft 9 ins |
| Particular marks: | Scar left cheek |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 13 April 1888 |
| Late residence: | Lutton, near Long Sutton, Wisbech, Lincolnshire |
| Parish he belongs to: | Lutton |
| Customary work and mode of life: | General farm work (cannot milk) |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly, 3rd Standard |
| Writes: | Imperfectly, 3rd Standard |
| Offence: | 2 convictions for burglary |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Neglected by his father |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 14 February 1888; Baron Pollock; Lincoln County Assizes |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Lincoln |
| Sentence: | 2 months hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 1 |
| Length: | 3 strokes with birch rod |
| For what: | Stealing potatoes from a boy(?) |
| Father's name: | John Cross |
| Occupation: | Agricultural labourer |
| Mother's name: | - |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Mother |
| Survivor married again? | No |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Neglected - housekeeper (Mrs Mostin), father, and two daughters (12 and 8) slept in one bedroom and this one in back bedroom |
| Character of parents | Reported "suspicious". Health fairly good |
| Parents' wages: | 12s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Has offered to pay 6d |
| Parents address: | Lutton, near Long Sutton, Wisbech, Lincolnshire |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | Superintendent Jarvis, Spalding, Lincolnshire |
| Person making this return: | E Mackay, Governor, H M Prison Lincoln |
| Notes: | |
| January 1888 There is a very lengthy report of the remand hearing in a clipping from an unnamed newspaper attached to the Admissions Register: DARING BURGLARY AT LUTTON BY A LONG SUTTON BOY. - Last week a daring burglary was committed at the dwelling-house of Mr Eli Thomas Cunnington, a small farmer at Lutton; and Walter Cross, aged 15, of Long Sutton, who is by no means a stranger to the police, has been reprimanded to the Lincolnshire Assizes on the charge. It would seem according to the lad's own confession, that he effected an entrance into the house by a window at the back on the premises on the night of Tuesday, the 3rd inst., about ten or eleven o'clock - a time when Mr and Mrs Cunnington and the rest of the family, were snug in bed. As soon as he had managed to get inside the house, Cross made a careful examination of the whole of the premises, spending a considerable time in peering about into every nook and corner of the different rooms. He filled his pockets with several articles of jewellery, &c., which came in his way, and then proceeded to satisfy the cravings of the "inner man" with the good things which are to be found in pantry and cupboard at this season of the year. Having done this, and stowed away several mince pies for a subsequent meal, the lad wended his way into the bedroom where slept - all unconsciously - the owner of the house; and ultimately discovered a cash-box, to get at the contents of which he applied himself in a most diligent manner. First, the problem as to how the cash-box could be opened was a somewhat difficult one to solve, but this was accomplished in due course. A small piece of candle was secured and lighted, with the aid of which the lad very ingeniously melted the solder of the hinges of the box, and immediately the metallic cement commenced to run the lid was wrenched off. But the reward he obtained scarcely remunerated him for his trouble, for only a few shillings were extracted. All these operations of course, occupied time, and it was not until an early hour in the following morning that Cross left the house. Encouraged, however, by his success, the visit was repeated the next night (Wednesday), when the lad continued his peregrinations in the various rooms, afterwards making good his escape, although he appears to have made some slight noise on this occasion, Mr Cunnington being disturbed, but he did not suspect that an uninvited visitor was in the house. But in the morning the articles removed from the house were missed, and the police communicated with. Young Cross was suspected, and steps were immediately taken to discover his whereabouts. He was traced to Long Sutton Railway Station, where it was ascertained that he had purchased a ticket for Whaplode, tendering in payment four three-penny pieces that were missing from the broken cash box. The police made their way to Whaplode, and it was then found that Cross had returned to Holbeach, where, later on, he was apprehended, having on him at the time a number of the stolen articles, including some mince pies, and a watch-chain. On Friday afternoon, prisoner was taken before G. F. C. Howard, Esq., and the Rev. G. S. Leigh-Bennett at the magistrates' clerk's office, and charged with burglariously entering the dwelling-house of Eli Thomas Cunnington, at Lutton, on the 2nd and 3rd of January, and stealing therefrom 2s 6d and 2s in money, three mince pies, one knife, and one watch-chain. Some of the depositions were taken, but not being completed that day, they were finished on Saturday morning, when the magistrates formally committed prisoner to take his trial at the forthcoming Assizes at Lincoln. Cross, who was flogged some time ago for felony, admits entering the premises and stealing the articles named in the charge. - Mr Healey Cunnington, in his evidence, said that on the night of the 2nd inst., he locked the door of his house at about ten o'clock and went to bed. On getting up in the morning, he noticed that a whistle and book which he had left inside a desk were laid on the top of it. On the following night he retired to bed at ten o'clock, and heard a noise shortly after getting into bed. On getting up in the morning, he found a tin box, which he had left upstairs, was broken; the hinges had been melted off. Three out of six mince pies which were on the table on the previous night were gone, and he noticed that his child's money box had been broken open and the contents taken away, the box had also been opened by melting the hinges. He also examined his pocket-book and found a half-crown gone. It was safe in the desk on the Monday. The boxes and pocket-book produced by Sergt. Burgess were the articles referred to. Upon examining his premises, Mr Cunnington said that he found the back kitchen window had been prized open, and there were marks as if a knife had been used. The same night after he had given the police information, Sergt. Burgess came and showed him the knife, two pencil cases and watch chains, which were his property. - Harry Askew, labourer, Long Sutton, gave evidence as to fetching some tobacco for prisoner, at about 7 o'clock on the morning of the 3rd inst., from the Station Hotel, and receiving half-a-crown from him to pay for it. - Other evidence was taken' Sergeant Burgess stated that from information received on Wednesday morning, he went to Lutton to prosecutor's house. He saw on the floor several spots of red and white grease or wax. He examined the windows of the back kitchen, and noticed a mark as if a knife had been forced into the opening, just below the fastener, and also that the wall inside by the window was scratched, and on the ground several small foot prints, but not sufficiently deep enough to take an impression. He went in search of prisoner, and found him at Holbeach Station in the waiting room. He cautioned him and asked him where he slept last night. He said in a pig stye in Lutton. He then searched him, and found in his breast pocket fourpence in coppers, the knife, chain, and two pencil cases now produced; also in the right-hand pocket a sausage roll and the four unused candles, and a small piece of one partly used, and two matches, which he produced. The marks he had seen on the prosecutor's floor were similar in colour and appearance with the small unused candles in prisoner's possession. He then took him into custody, and charged him with breaking into the house of Mr Healey Cunnington during the previous night, and stealing some mince pies, and about four shillings and sixpence in money, and that half-a-crown of it he had taken out of a pocket book, which was in a desk, and the remainder out of a child's money box. He replied, "Yes, but I got in the night before and got the half-crown, and the other money and the things you found in my pocket last night." He also said, as he was taking him to the police station, that he had given the boy Askew, who worked in the station yard, the half-crown to buy half-an-ounce of tobacco with. On the same day the Sergeant took possession from the prosecutor of the two tin boxes and the next day the pocket book, all of which he produced. Near the hinge of one of the tin boxes he could see wax similar to the candles in prisoner's possession, and it was plain to see that the soldering of the hinges had been melted to get the boxes open, which were both locked. - The prisoner, after being cautioned by the magistrates, said he had nothing he wished to say, and was then committed for trial at the Lincoln Assizes. | |
| 17 February 1888 The sentence was reported in the Stamford Mercury Friday 17 February 1888 p.5 col.2: Walter Cross, aged 15, was charged with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Healey Thomas Cunnington, and therein stealing 2s. 6d., at Sutton, on Jan. 2; and also on Jan. 3 stealing three mince pies, a knife, a watch chain, and two pencil cases. - Mr. Bonner for prosecution - The boy pleaded guilty, and it was stated that he was motherless, and had been neglected by his father. He had been previously charged with burglary with his father, and the father was convicted. He also had a brother in a reformatory for similar offence. - The Judge passed sentence of two months' hard labour and five years in a reformatory, remarking that this would give prisoner the means, if he tried to do his best, of getting a very much better position than he could possibly get at present. | |
| 21 September 1888 His father was summoned for failing to pay maintenance for his son. This was reported in the Stamford Mercury Friday 21 September 1888 p.4 col.1: John Cross, labourer, Long Sutton, was summoned for 6s 6d, arrears due on the 30th of June unfer an order for the maintenance of his son, John R Cross [first name give thus], who is in a Reformatory. Order made for payment forthwith. It was stated that the weekly contribution is only 6d | |
| 31 January 1891 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Cross was licensed to go out and work for Mr J Clarke, Shustoke, Warwickshire | |
| 13 October 1891 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Over Whitacre, Warwickshire | |
| 9 June 1892 Discharged early from Saltley by order of the Home Secretary, on account of emigrating to Canada | |
| 9 August 1892 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Kirkdale, Quebec | |
| 14 February 1893 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Quebec, Canada | |
| 12 December 1893 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Kirkdale, Quebec | |
| 26 April 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Melbourne, Quebec, Canada | |
| 12 February 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Richmond, Quebec | |
| 30 April 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Quebec | |
| 24 April 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Richmond, Quebec | |
| 9 June 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Richmond, Quebec | |
| 8 October 1901 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Cross, Canada | |
George Hipwood - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 1136 |
| Age: | 12 (born 10 March 1884) |
| Whence received: | Aston Police Station |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Light brown |
| Eyes colour: | Brown |
| Height: | 3 ft 9½ ins |
| Particular marks: | Scald mark left foot |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | - |
| Date of admission: | 17 June 1896 |
| Late residence: | Harrops Buildings, Frankfort Street, Birmingham |
| Parish he belongs to: | - |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Police report - this boy has been brought to the station on several occasions, charged with larceny, and has been let go. Police officers report that he is a bad boy and sleeps out at nights. The father cannot control him and sometimes does not see him for days |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Stealing 1 lb of sweets |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Lack of parental control |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 17 June 1896; J Bardsley and Edward Makins; Aston Petty Sessions |
| Where imprisoned: | Not |
| Sentence: | 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 2 |
| Length: | 1) Birched; 2) birched |
| For what: | 1) Stealing 6 tablets of soap; 2) stealing money from a till |
| Father's name: | Thomas Hipwood |
| Occupation: | Button worker |
| Mother's name: | Sarah Hipwood |
| Occupation: | (married woman) |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | - |
| Character of parents | Good |
| Parents' wages: | Not stated |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | Harrops Buildings, Frankfort Street, Birmingham |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | Joseph Rowlands, Magistrates' Clerk |
| Notes: | |
| 12 May 1896 He was involved in an incident the month before being convicted, as reported in the Birmingham Mail Tuesday 12 May 1896 p.2 col.3: George Hipwood (11), living in Frankfort Street, was bathing in the canal near Avenue Road, Aston, when, getting out of his depth, he sank. Two lads - Thomas Jarvis and George Light - living in Clifford Place, Barton's Bank, stripped, and, jumping into the canal, rescued the boy. Three members of the Aston Fire Brigade Ambulance Class, named Jones and Holborn, arrived upon the scene and successfully rendered first aid. Dr. Astley. who was informed of the occurrence, saw the lad, but was then sufficiently recovered to be able to be taken home. | |
| 1 April 1901 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Hipwood was licensed to go out and work for Mr cook, Plating and Polishing Works, Lionel Street, Birmingham | |
| 16 June 1901 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley | |
| No. in Admissions Register: | 595 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Pale |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | Pock marked |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission and term: | 13 February 1878 3 years |
| Late residence: | Kings Bromley, near Lichfield, Staffordshire |
| Parish he belongs to: | Kings Bromley |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Farm labourer |
| Whether illegitimate: | - |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Stealing leggings |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 31 January 1878, Elford Petty Sessions, W Arden and C J Webb |
| Where imprisoned: | Stafford |
| Sentence: | 14 days prison (hard labour), 3 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | One |
| Length: | 1 month |
| For what: | Stealing boots |
| Father's name: | - |
| Occupation: | - |
| Mother's name: | Margaret Carthy |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Father |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Honest, sober, and good health |
| Parents' wages: | Little and uncertain |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Nothing |
| Parents address: | Kings Bromley |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | |
Notes:
| 2 February 1878 There is a short report of the offence in the Tamworth Herald Saturday 2 February 1878 p.3 col.6: A VILE EDUCATION. - Frederick Carthy, a boy 14 years of age, of Alrewas, was charged with stealing a pair of leggings and a brass ornament, value 4s, the property of William Pratt, farm servant, of Orgreave, near Yoxall.- The case having been proved by prosecutor and P.C. Small, it was stated that prisoner had a wretched home, had never been to school in his life, and that his brothers were convicted thieves. -Sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment and 3 years in a reformatory. |
| 4 November 1881 Letter from Carthy |