Saltley Reformatory

George Wall - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	577
Age:	14
Whence received:	Birmingham Borough Prison
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission and term:	24 February 1877 5 years
Late residence:	10 court 2 house New Town Row, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Jeweller
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing 4 scarves
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by who and court:	5 February 1877, Birmingham Police Court, T C S Kynnersley
Where imprisoned:	Birmingham Borough Prison
Sentence:	21 days prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	-
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Both
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	(Sister, Sarah Ann Wall) 3 court 4 house George Street, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-
When and how left reformatory:	18 May 1881 - Emigrated to Canada

Notes:

18 May 1881 Left New Street Station this morning for Liverpool and embarked on board the Sarmatian for Quebec on the following morning, 19 May 1881. Mr Humphreys took them to the boat and saw him on board.

23 June 1881 Letter from Wall to say that he arrived at Quebec on the 29th May '81. He and Massey [boy 550] are working with Jefferies [boy 576] (see letter) [not attached to Admissions Register]. Works for Mr Smith(?), Drummondville, Ontario

29 June 1881 Wrote to Wall this day

28 November 1881 Letter to the tailor - reports favourably of Massey and Jefferies

3 March 1882 Received this morning a very interesting letter from G Wall. Address as above..

Henry Comley - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	922
Age:	14
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Blue
Height:	4 ft 5½ ins
Particular marks:	3 dots, 1 long scar, back of right forearm; 5 dots back of left forearm
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	6 July 1889
Late residence:	119 Broadway Street, Burton on Trent
Parish he belongs to:	Burton on Trent
Customary work and mode of life:	No occupation, has attended school irregularly
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing a cloak
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Lack of control, although the parents are apparently very respectable
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	7 June 1889; G Wright and C Harrison; Burton Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	1 month in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1 (15 March 1887)
Length:	6 strokes birch
For what:	Stealing 9s 6d from the person
Father's name:	John Comley
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	Rosannah Comley
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Nothing reported
Character of parents	Both parents reported of good character
Parents' wages:	Father 17s per week, mother nothing
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	119 Broadway Street, Burton
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-
Notes:
17 March 1887 A previous offence was reported in the Burton Chronicle Thursday 17 March 1887 p.7 cols.1-2: SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST BOYS. - Henry Comely (11) [surname spelled thus], of 9 Waterloo Street, and Albert Hatherley (8), of 232 Waterloo Street, were charged with stealing the sum of 9s. 6d. from George Whitehead, on the 12th instant. - The evidence of the prosecutor, a boy of eight years, went to show that on Saturday he, in company with a boy named Adams, went to the workhouse for his mother (who is a widow residing in Hawkins Lane, and in receipt of relief) and received a quantity of bread and 9s. 6d. in money, a portion of which was for his mother and the remainder for another recipient of relief. He placed the money in his coat pocket, and had got outside the workhouse gates, when he was met by the prisoners. Comely offered to wheel the barrow of bread, but prosecutor refused to allow him to do so. The four boys proceeded as far as Dallow Street, when Comely called Whitehead's attention to a bird's nest which he said was in the hedge, and promised to get it. Soon afterwards Comely asked Whitehead to allow him to look at his school cards, and while the prosecutor was endeavouring to get at them Comely thrust his hand into the same pocket. When Whitehead went to return the cards he missed the money, and he accused Comely of having taken it. This the latter denied, and said, "Do you think I would take your money when I have joined the Salvation Army?" and another lad who was present then said, "There are good and bad in the Salvation Army" - (laughter). - Similar evidence was given by the lad Adams, who accompanied the prosecutor, and he added that when Whitehead accused Comely of the theft the latter was searched by a woman, but nothing was found upon him. He also said that Comely pushed Whitehead into the hedge when they were looking for the bird's nest. - A maltster of the name of Todd, employed at Messrs. Worthington and Co's., said on the day referred to Comely and another lad came to the kiln hole for the purpose of warming themselves, and while there the former continually looked through the crevice of the door, apparently watching for some-one. He accused the boy of having done something wrong, and although he at first denied it, he afterwards handed the witness 4s. 6d., which had been tied up in a rag. Police-constable Formestone spoke to arresting the lads, and said, in answer to the charge, they each blamed the other. - Supt. Gilbride informed the Bench that when the boys were brought to the station they were immediately afterwards bailed out, and had not therefore been detained in the cells. - The Bench dismissed Hatherley, and Mr. Clay said the case had clearly been made out against Comely. The offence was the more cruel as the money belong to a woman who was in receipt of relief. The prisoner was then ordered to receive four strokes with the birch rod, and the Bench made an order for the amount recovered to be divided between Mrs. Whitehead and the other person.

13 June 1889 There is a report of the crime which sent him to Saltley in the Burton Chronicle Thursday 13 June 1889 p.7 col.3: CHARGE OF ROBBERY FROM A BOARD SCHOOL. - Henry Cowley (14) [surname given thus], of Broadway Street, was charged with stealing a girl's cloak, of the value of 2s. 6d., from Uxbridge Street Board School, on the 29th ult. - The evidence against the prisoner was to the effect that a little girl, Mary Willis, who resides with her sister, Mrs. Borley, in Paget Street, hung up her cloak in the porch of the Uxbridge Street Board School at two o'clock, and about three hours later, when she went to look for it, it had been taken away. The police were communicated with and inquiries set on foot, and it was ascertained that the cloak had been pledged with Mr. Harrop, of Uxbridge Street. When taken to the latter establishment by Police-constable Buggy the prisoner said a woman sent him to pawn the article, but ultimately declared that he picked it up in Uxbridge Street, and asked another boy to pawn it for him. - Prisoner had been previously convicted of a similar offence, when he was whipped with a birch rod, and he was now sent to gaol for one month, and ordered to be detained in a reformatory for five years.
16 September 1892 The Medical Officer reported: Injury to left tibia and ankle joint. There is an effusion of blood on the anterior and internal surface of tibia and the foot is partially luxated backwards. The blood effusion had diminished the next day, so he was put up in back splint with foot-piece and two lateral splints. It was considered the luxation of the foot may require division of the tendo Achillis to reduce it completely. Although the boy was comfortable the MO opined that: the apparatus, being insufficient of itself to give the boy a useful limb in the future, and in mys opinion operative interference being necessary, I have communicated with Mr Jordan Lloyd and the boy will be removed by my direction to be under his care at the Queen’s Hospital for the necessary steps as mentioned in observations above.

22 March 1893 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Comley was licensed to go out and work for c/o Mr Howells, Burton on Trent

27 August 1893 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Comley, Burton on Trent

3 February 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Comley, Burton on Trent

26 April 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Comley, Burton on Trent

5 July 1894 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

14 August 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Comley, Burton on Trent

9 October 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Comley, Burton on Trent

14 December 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Comley, tailor, Burton on Trent. (Met Ludlow [boy 1009]. Now working for Mr Bearson, High Street)

George Biddle - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1178
Age:	14 (born 25 May 1884)
Whence received:	Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Height:	4 ft 4 ins
Particular marks:	4 vacc. marks on left arm
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	13 July 1898
Late residence:	-
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Offence:	Stealing 2 coats and a mackintosh
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	30 June 1898; J M Colmore; Birmingham Police Court
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Birmingham
Sentence:	14 days in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	3
Length:	-
For what:	1) Sleeping out; 2) felony; 3) stealing watches
Father's name:	Thomas Biddle
Occupation:	Painter
Mother's name:	Frances Biddle
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	2 back of 2 Drury Lane, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

18 August 1901 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Biddle was licensed to go out and work for Mr Tindall, Goods Dept., Curzon Street, Birmingham

10 December 1901 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report states: One boy (G Biddle) who was in the employ of the Midland Railway at Curzon Street Goods Station received severe injuries to his foot in one of the turntables. He was admitted into the General hospital and the amputation of four of his toes became necessary. The Register noted in February that Biddle was still on on the School Sick List and in hospital

11 February 1902 The Log Book report notes that Biddle had lately left the hospital and was now living at home, until fit enough to return to work

12 July 1902 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley

No. in Admissions Register:	196
Date of admission:	3 December 1860
Whence received:	Stafford Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Dark
Hair colour:	Dark Brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Smallpox
Particular marks:	-
Cutaneous disorder?	Yes except a scab from a hurt on the knee
Scrofulous or consumptive?	Not apparent
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	15
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Canal Street, Wolverhampton
Parish to which he belongs:	Prescot, Lancaster
Customary work and mode of life:	In ironworks
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	A little
Writes:	A little
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing a coat
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Loss of parents and bad company
Date of sentence:	3 November 1860
Where convicted:	Wolverhampton
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	1 month prison, 4 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	-
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Both
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	H Segram, Wolverhampton
Relatives to communicate with:	Has a brother, Morris Darkin, at Barrat's Yard, Canal Street, Wolverhampton -
Person making this return:	Henry Segram, Wolverhampton
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	16 Apr 1863 - Emigrated to Canada

Notes:

7 November 1860 There is a short report of his offence in the Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser Wednesday 7 November 1860 p.6 col.4: JUVENILE DELINQUENTS.-Four incorrigibles, named Matthew Moran, Matthew Neville [boy 195], Michael Darkin [boy 196], and Thomas Broadbent [197] were charged with stealing an overcoat belonging to David Williams. Prosecutor had left the coat in his cart in Exchange Street, from whence it was stolen by the prisoners. They were each committed for one month, Moran to be subsequently detained four years in the reformatory ship Akbar, Liverpool, and the others to be sent for a similar period to the Saltley Reformatory.

13 January 1862 Absconded with 171 (Thomas Coope)

18 January 1862 Apprehended at Oswestry with 171 and 175 (Martin McAvoy)

16 April 1863 Emigrated to Canada

1 August 1863 Had a letter from him but no address given

July 1866 Had a letter from him - doing well

John Mills - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	368
Date of admission:	29 November 1867
Whence received:	Birmingham
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	-
Able-bodied?	-
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Cowpox
Particular marks:	Ruptured
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	14
Illegitimate?	Not
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Brass founding
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	A little
Writes:	None
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing 2 coats
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	17 October 1867
Where convicted:	Moor Street before F J Welch and H Manton
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	6 weeks prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Twice brought up but prosecutors failed to appear
Father's name:	James Mills
Occupation:	Brass founder
Residence:	6 court Moland Street, Birmingham
Mother's name:	Sarah Mills
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Indifferent
Character of parents	Indifferent
Parents' wages:	20s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	1s per week
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	-
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

21 October 1867 There is a report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Gazette Monday 21 October 1867 p.4 col.3: THEFT OF WORKMEN'S JACKETS.- John Mills (14), brassfounder, 6 Court, Moland Street, was charged witu stealing, in company with two others, not in custody, two jackets, belonging to workmen at tbe Princip Street Flour Mill. The jackets were hanging in a workshop, into which the thieves must have sneaked in the absence of the men. They were seen passing along the street with a bundle, and on being taxed as to its contents, two of them ran away, but the prisoner was detained and given into custody. - He was ordered to be imprisoned for one month, and at the end of that time to be sent to a reformatory for four years.