Saltley Reformatory

Edward Bateman - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	971
Age:	12
Whence received:	H M Prison Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Blue
Height:	4 ft 6 ins
Particular marks:	2 Marks on left ear(?), mark centre of back
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	21 September 1891
Late residence:	23 Okewell Street, Dudley
Parish he belongs to:	Dudley
Customary work and mode of life:	Nil. (The boy, although young, is regarded by the police as a thief and a companion of thieves, and there is little hope of reformation unless he is removed from his present situation)
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly. Standard 2
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Offence:	Stealing apples
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Parental neglect
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	7 September 1891; W E Walker and John Aston; Dudley Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison
Sentence:	14 Days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	5
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	William Bateman
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Hannah Bateman
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Boy says father is given to drink
Parents' wages:	Not known
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	23 Okewell Street, Dydley
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

4 May 1894 The Medical Officer reported: Rheumatics

10 August 1895 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Bateman was licensed to go out and work for Mr Hale, Hall Street, Dudley

20 September 1896 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

19 July 1901 The boy seems to have been in trouble again after leaving Saltley. There is a letter attached to the Admissions Register from the Deputy Governor of Manchester Prison [Strangeways] to the Superintendent of Saltley Reformatory. It reads: Re 3238 Edward Bateman. The above named prisoner admits having served a term of 3 years 11 months in the Reformatory under your charge, and says he was sent from Birmingham [Prison] on or about 19 September 1891. His school number was 65. Kindly favour me with a reply by return of post as the prisoner is to be tried at Manchester Sessions on Monday next.

23 April 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bateman. (Book received. Working regular in blacksmith's shop. Has been ill)

Alfred Brooks - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1227
Age:	12 (born 1 December 1887)
Whence received:	Cardiff Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Height:	4 ft 4½ ins
Particular marks:	Right leg paralysed, 4 dots left arm
State of health:	Fair
Able-bodied?	No
Date of admission:	30 April 1900
Late residence:	65 Adam Street, Cardiff
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Nil
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Offence:	Shopbreaking and larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Parental neglect
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	12 April 1900; Henry White; Cardiff Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	Not
Sentence:	Detained at Saltley until 16 years of age
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	First Offenders Act [properly, The Probation of First Offenders Act, 1887]
For what:	Stealing a watch
Father's name:	William Brooks
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	Annie Brooks
Occupation:	Charwoman
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Not good
Character of parents	Drunken
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	65 Adam Street, Cardiff
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Chief Constable, Cardiff
Person making this return:	D Rees

Notes:

14 April 1900 The offence that sent him to Saltley was reported in the South Wales Daily News Saturday 14 April 1900 p.7 col.1: SHOPBREAKING. YOUNGSTERS ARRESTED AT CARDIFF. P Cardiff Police Court on Thursday (before Councillor White and Mr T. H. Stephens) five small boys named Alfred Brooks, Dennis Quahan, William Jeffries, Patrick Connell, and Patrick Shannon were charged with breaking and entering a closed shop, No. 88 Adam-street, in the occupation of George Frederick Hill, and stealing therefrom 24 tablets of soap, and two boxes of sweets, value 3s, on the 11th inst. Mr G. F. Hill conducted the prosecution. - The shop at the time of the theft was untenanted, and the goods were the property of Mr G. F. Hill, who received them in part discharge of the rent from the outgoing tenant. - P.C. Pugsley deposed to seeing Brooks offering soap for sale in Bate-terrace. He said in reply to the constable that he got it from Adam-street, Witness then took Brooks with him to the station, where on being searched eight tablets of soap were found on him. From what Brooks said witness arrested the four other prisoners. On being formally charged the boys made various answers. Quahan said, I was coming home with some coal, and Brooks put his crutch in the window and took the box of soap out." Connell also deposed to seeing Brooks put his crutch through the window, ahd draw out some boxes. - Evidence was also given by Mr James M. John, Mrs C.Jones, and Mr G. F. Hill. - Inspector Durston said Brooks was before the Court in February last on the charge of stealing a watch and selling it for 9d. He is a very bad boy, sir," added the inspector. - Brooks was ordered now to be sent to a reformatory until he is 15 years of age. The other lads were bound over under the First Offenders Act.

14 November 1903 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Brooks was licensed to go out and be apprenticed to Mr Fry, tailor, Lechlade, Gloucestershire

30 November 1903 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley

12 April 1904 The Log book report records receipt of a letter from Brooks, Lechlade, Gloucestershire

No. in Admissions Register:	134
Date of admission:	2 January 1858
Whence received:	Stafford County Gaol
By whom brought:	Mr Mountford
On what terms:	Committed
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light
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?	-
Particular marks:	Under chin and right leg
Cutaneous disorder?	-
Scrofulous or consumptive?	-
Subject to fits?	-
Age last birthday:	12
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Thompson's Building, Spon Lane, West Bromwich
Parish to which he belongs:	West Bromwich
Customary work and mode of life:	Blacksmith (railway pin maker)
Schools attended:	Chance's School, West Bromwich
By whom and where employed:	None
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing iron
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	19 December 1857
Where convicted:	West Bromwich before E Scott and T Bagnall, Esq
Sentence:	14 days in prison, 3 years at Saltley
Where imprisoned:	-
Previous committals and convictions:	None
Father's name:	-
Occupation	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	Hannah Evans
Occupation:	Washerwoman
Residence:	near Boat Inn, Spon Lane, West Bromwich
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents:	-
Parents' wages:	None – receives parish relief
Weekly amount parents will pay:	1s
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Relatives to communicate with	-
Person making this return:	Mr J Holland, Inspector of Police, West Bromwich
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	18 Oct 1860 - sent to gaol after repeatedly absconding, later became boatman on canals

Notes:

21 December 1857 There is a lengthy report of his offence in the Birmingham Daily Post Monday 21 December 1857 p.3 col.1 NB he is named John throughout: A NOTORIOUS RECEIVER COMMITTED. - At the Public Office, on Saturday last, before E D Scott, A Kenrick, and Thomas Bagnall, Esqs, two little lads, George Venables, eleven, and John Evans [first name given thus], twelve years of age, were charged with stealing about 2 cwt of pig iron, the property of Messers A Kenrick and Son. Mr Caddick appeared for the prosecution. The first witness examined was Thomas Leedham, one of the men employed at the works, and he stated that on the preceding Thursday, from suspicions raised as to quantities of iron stolen from the foundry, he was induced to search a heap of block sand, laid at a short distance from the works, when he found some pieces of pig iron evidently hidden. Selecting two pieces, he marked one of them, and returning shortly after to the spot, found them gone. Other portions, also, were missed, and information was given to Police Constable Denston, who stated that having for three years past suspected a marine store dealer named Ann Bullock, alias "Scottie," of receiving stolen metal, he went to her shop, and on searching it he found the iron which he produced, and which was satisfactorily proved to be the metal marked by Leedham, the property of the Messers Kenrick. Further evidence was adduced by the lad Evans's brother, who stated that he had been asked by the two prisoners, his brother and Venables, to go with them and get some iron to sell. They went to the waste sand heap referred to, and taking two pieces at a time to Ann Bullock's, she, without asking any questions, bought it and gave them 1s, for what was worth 3s or more. This witness said he went with his brother to this marine store, and having got the money, they divided it between them. Ann Bullock, who although charged separately was in the dock with the two lads, said that when they came with the iron in question she did ask them how they came by it, and they said they had been employed to clear out a boat, and found the metal amongst the rubbish. She always asked persons who brought iron, etc, where they had it from. The Magistrates (Mr Kenrick having retired during the hearing from the Bench), finding that gentleman through his manager, Mr John Underhill, recommended that a light sentence might be passed upon the lads, who pleaded guilty, said that they must go to Stafford [gaol] for fourteen days, but the necessary steps would be taken to get them into a Reformatory School for three years. Mr Bagnall, finding that the mother of the two lads, the Evans's, was in Court, addressed her, to the effect that she must pay more attention than she had hitherto done to her other son, who had himself a narrow escape. The receiver, Ann Bullock, was committed for trial. - In a second charge against her, of receiving iron bolts and metal, the property of Messers Grice and Watson, where the lad Evans worked, the evidence taken was not considered sufficiently conclusive, and it was accordingly withdrawn.

3 September 1859 absconded with Clifford [boy 132] . Apprehended and brought back 30 March 1860

9 November 1859 The Reformatory Minute Book reports: 618. Mr Humphreys reported that Wm West, Henry Brown [boy 119], and William Pennyfather [boy 120] (all London boys) had absconded on Sunday last, and that J Evans, who absconded on 3rd September had not been found. Steps are being taken for their recovery.

12 July 1860 absconded with J Wilson (boy 153) soon after 6 o'clock this morning. Brought back from Walsall the next day

26 July 1860 absconding by breaking the sick-room window, taking Loftus [boy 172] with him

2 August 1860 The Minute Book records: 695. Mr Humphreys reported that Evans had absconded for the fourth time on Thursday last

696. Resolved: that the boy be punished and confined in prison.

16 October 1860 apprehended at Wolverhampton with Mason [boy 176]

17 October 1860 A brief account of his capture is in the Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser Wednesday 17 October 1860 p.4 col.6: RUNAWAYS FROM SALTLEY REFORMATORY. - Yesterday, at the Borough Police Office, two boys, named Joseph Evans and Patrick Moran [boy 176], were charged with having absconded from the Reformatory School at Saltley. They had been apprehended in this town by Police Officer Marlow, and it appeared that Evans had been committed from West Bromwich and Moran from Wolverhampton. They were remanded until tomorrow (Thursday), in order that the authorities at the Reformatory might be communicated with.

18 October 1860 committed by magistrate to Stafford Gaol for 2 months

November 1864 boatman on Birmingham Canal - doing fairly

George Parry - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	312
Date of admission:	14 August 1865
Whence received:	Stafford
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Cowpox
Particular marks:	Cut on right wrist
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	Not apparent
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	14
Illegitimate?	Not
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	House breaking
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	14 July 1865
Where convicted:	Wolverhampton
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	30 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Three
Father's name:	Samuel Leek (stepfather)
Occupation:	Miner
Residence:	Peel Street, Wolverhampton
Mother's name:	Hannah Leek
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	Boy says bad by stepfather
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	About 30s per week when in full work
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not known
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Captain Ingram, Wolverhampton
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	W Fulford, Stafford Gaol
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	13 Aug 1870 - discharged on expiration of term

Notes:

15 March 1865 There is a short report of a previous offence in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 18 March 1865 p.5 col.3: ROBBERY BY BOYS AT WOLVERHAMPTON. JOHN BEVAN, 10, WILLIAM DINGLEY, 8, and GEORGE PARRY, 14, were indicted for breaking into the dwelling house of Thomas Vale, at Wolverhampton, on the 14th of January, and stealing therefrom twenty-four rabbit skins Mr. Goldsmid conducted the prosecution. The prosecutor is a fishmonger and rabbit dealer, living in the Horsefair, Wolverhampton, and on the afternoon of the day in question the prisoners entered his premises during the absence of the inmates at market, and carried away a number of rabbit skins. On the same day they offered the skins for sale at the shop of a marine store dealer, who. having his suspicions excited, gave information to the police. The prisoners were apprehended and charged with the offence, upon which Bevan said to Party, "You know you fetched the skins out of the house and gave them to us," to which Parry replied, " No, I didn't: we all three took them together." The jury found the prisoners guilty, and they were sentenced to one month's imprisonment each.

2 July 1869 Licensed

13 August 1870 Discharged

John Wareham - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	715
Age:	14
Whence received:	H M Prison Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Sandy
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	Freckles
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	26 January 1883
Late residence:	17 Great Barr Street, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Vagrancy, sleeping out
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Cannot be ascertained
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	13 January 1883; G D Lloyd and Thomas Martineau; Birmingham Police Court
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Birmingham
Sentence:	14 days hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Nil
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	James Wareham
Occupation:	Painter
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Mother
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Fairly good
Character of parents	Fairly good
Parents' wages:	About 25s weekly
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	17 Great Barr Street, Deritend, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent Wilcox, Moor Street, Birmingham
Person making this return:	A Tinkler, Governor, H M Prison Birmingham

Notes:

22 April 1886 Discharged from Saltley by order of the Home Secretary on emigrating to Canada from Liverpool on the SS Circassian along with Hurley [730], Moss [boy 680], and Beckett [boy 723]