Saltley Reformatory

James Bell - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1236
Age:	14 (born 8 May 1886)
Whence received:	York Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh, freckled
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Sky blue
Height:	4 ft 9½ ins
Particular marks:	Dot left forearm; long cut left palm; cut inside right ankle joint
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	5 July 1900
Late residence:	23 Whitby Terrace, Cemetery Road, York
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy. Police report that for the last 6 or 7 years instead of going to school he was frequently found playing truant, and is a ringleader of a group of pilferers living in the neighbourhood. His parents are respectable
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Offence:	Larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Lack of parental control
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	28 June 1900; W Varey and L Foster; York Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	Not
Sentence:	Detained at Saltley untiil the age of 19 years
Previous committals:
Number:	2
Length:	1) Birched; 2) birched
For what:	1) Stealing a watch; 2) stealing pigeons
Father's name:	John Leaf (step-father)
Occupation:	Gardener
Mother's name:	Charlotte Leaf
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	Not stated
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	23 Whitby Terrace, Cemetery Road, York
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Chief Constable, York
Person making this return:	Sergeant Morse, York

Notes:

31 October 1896 A previous offence was reported in the Yorkshire Gazette Saturday 31 October 1896 p.6 col.6: SCHOOL BOYS IN TROUBLE. Fred Goodwin (9), James Bell (9), and George Cousins (8), schoolboys, living in Whitby-terrace,. were charged with stealing a carriage watch, the property of Major Fortescue, and further with stealing three razors and a brush, the property of Frank McKenzie, from the Priory stables, Fishergate, on the 17th and 19th inst. The evidence showed that the articles named were missed by Major Fortescue's groom, and found in the possession of the boys. - They were ordered to be bound over with their parents to be of good behaviour.

10 March 1899 Another previous offence (also involving his brothers)was reported in the York Herald Friday 10 March 1899 p.4 col.7: SIX STROKES. - James Bell and Wilfred Bell, of 23, .Whitby-terrace, and Thomas Bramham, of Heslington-road, school boys, were charged with stealing four pigeons, the property of Fred Tindall, provision dealer, from a cote in the yard of No. 57, Ambrose-street, and John Bell (aged 16), 23, Whitby- terrace, labourer, was charged with receiving two pigeons, knowing them to have been stolen. - The boys were given six strokes of the birch-rod, and John Bell was fined 10s.

6 December 1902 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Bell was licensed to go out and work for Mr Pearce, Victoria Street, Small Heath, Birmingham

8 May 1905 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley

No. in Admissions Register:	476
Age:	13
Whence received:	Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission and term:	23 October 1872 3 years
Late residence:	Meer Brook, Leek
Parish he belongs to:	Leek
Customary work and mode of life:	Farm work
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing 2s
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by who and court:	23 September 1872, Leek Petty Sessions, J Brough and H Sleigh
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	1 month prison, 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	None known
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father’s name:	John Fisher
Occupation:	Farm labourer
Mother's name:	Elizabeth Fisher
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	No
Survivor married again?	-
Parents’ treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good – have 8 other children
Parents’ wages:	From 2s 6d to 3s per day
Amount parents agree to pay:	Doubt that they are able
Parents address:	Meerbrook, Leek
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	C Williams, Leek
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

3 August 1874 Absconded with Biggs [boy 461] through tool house window;

20 November 1875 On board the Cumberland Industrial School ship

[No Date] There is a note attached to the Admissions Register on the Notes page which reads: Fisher, Brook Street, Hanley, next door but one to Shenton’s. Is working with his brother at a coal pit Rheeves [word difficult to read] or Slippey Pit with his brothers.

October(?) 1881 Living at 25 Balsall Heath Road [Birmingham]

23 February 1888 Evan Williams [boy 541] reports Fisher as living in Warwick Street [Birmingham?] with his father and [indecipherable word]. [All this line crossed out]

George Peters - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	674
Age:	11
Whence received:	H M Prison Derby
Description:
Complexion:	Fair
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Hazel
Visage:	Round
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	19 August 1881
Late residence:	Masson Hillside, Matlock Bridge, Derbeyshire
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Schoolboy
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Well
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing a gun
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Not known
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	10 August 1881; C E Radford and C Sorby
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Derby
Sentence:	10 days in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Nil
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	William Peters
Occupation:	Stonemason
Mother's name:	Hannah Peters
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Both living
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good character
Parents' wages:	30s per week (boy's statement)
Amount parents agree to pay:	The parents have not engaged to pay anything. They can afford to pay 1s 6d per week. There are six children, one older than prisoner and four younger
Parents address:	Masson Hillside, Matlock, Derbyshire
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	John Sharpe, Superintendent of Police, Matlock
Person making this return:	George Wath, Sergeant of Police, Matlock
When and how left reformatory:	18 Aug 1885 - discharged at expiration of term

Notes:

17 August 1881 There is a short report of the crime in the Derby Mercury Wednesday 17 August 1881 p.3 col.1: MATLOCK. THEFT OF A GUN. - At a special sitting of the Matlock magistrates on Wednesday a lad named George Peters was charged with stealing a gun, value 10s., the property of Mr. Peter Taylor, of Masson. on Monday last. From the evidence it appeared that the house in question is an uninhabited one, but is kept for the purpose of storing furniture. On the day named prisoner went through the window, and seeing the gun hanging on the ceiling took and made off with it, but was seen and detained. - Sent to Derby for ten days, and at the conclusion to be sent to a reformatory.

18 August 1885 Discharged. Time expired. Returned to parents

Thomas Arthur Till - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	725
Age:	14
Whence received:	H M Prison Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Visage:	Oval
Particular marks:	Bad burn left side hip, mole on arm(?)
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	18 July 1883
Late residence:	321 Nechells Park Road, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Tube polisher
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing a coat, vest, and 4 pocket books
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Associating with thieves
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	5 July 1883; T C S Kynnersley, Stipendiary; Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Birmingham
Sentence:	14 days hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	None
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Thomas Horton (step-father)
Occupation:	Iron stamper
Mother's name:	Leah Horton
Occupation:	Housework
Parents dead?	Own father supposed to be dead
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	Boy states step-father treats him badly
Character of parents	Believed to be honest, etc, etc
Parents' wages:	step-father from £3 to £4 per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	321 Nechells Park Road, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

[The Admissions Register has his first name as John, but other Reformatory documents, the newspaper report (below) and the 1881 census all have his first name as Thomas]

5 July 1883 There was a report of the crime in the Birmingham Mail Thursday 5 July 1883 p.3 col.5: A FEROCIOUS YOUNG THIEF. Thomas Arthur Till (15) [first name given as thus]. was charged with stealing a waistcoat, a coat, and a couple of pocket books, the property of his step-father, Thomas Horton, steel stamper, 321, Nechells Park Road, on the 18th June. Prisoner left home on the date named with the articles mentioned, and disposed of them in the course of a journey to Warwick. Prosecutor stated that the boy was quite unmanageable, and on one occasion beat his mother ''black and blue.' , It was the third time he had stolen things from his home. Prisoner sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment and five years' detention in a reformatory.

23-24 September 1885 Medical officer reports: Bronchial catarrh

29 October 1885 Medical officer reports: Acne vulgaris

25 March 1886 Discharged from Saltley by order of the Home Secretary on emigrating to Canada from Liverpool on the Allan Lines' SS Parisian along with Daniels [701], Sparkes [boy 694], and Wright [boy 748]

11 October 1892 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Till, Cairo

Reuben Bratt - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	982
Age:	15
Whence received:	H M Prison Warwick
Description:
Complexion:	Sallow
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Blue
Height:	5 ft 2 ins
Particular marks:	Turned up nose, cut mark back of head, mole on left side
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	4 December 1891
Late residence:	28 court 2 house Spon Street, Coventry
Parish he belongs to:	St Michael's, Coventry
Customary work and mode of life:	Has been employed at an iron foundry, Messers Floyd and Floyd, Coventry
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 1
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing 5s 6d from a public house till
Circumstances which may have led to it:	The parent (father) is reported as of suspicious character and the boy is a known associate of thieves
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	21 November 1891; R A Dalton and J Bell; Coventry City Police Court
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Warwick
Sentence:	14 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	2
Length:	1) Fined 6s 6d; 2) Fined 6s 6d
For what:	1) Wilful damage; 2) stone throwing
Father's name:	John Bratt
Occupation:	Stone breaker
Mother's name:	Charlotte Bratt
Occupation:	Charwoman
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Reported as "suspicious" in the father's case
Parents' wages:	Father 18s per week, mother 4s
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	28 court 2 house Spon Lane, Coventry
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

7 May 1889 There is a report of a previous offence in the Coventry Herald Friday 7 May 1889 p.7 col.6: DAMAGING FENCING. - Reuben Bratt, a lad, residing at 110, Spon-street, was summoned for damaging wire fencing at Coundon, belonging to Mr. Joseph Hepworth, April 28. - He pleaded guilty. - Mr. Wilks, who prosecuted, said the damage was estimated at 2s. 6d. The fencing had been injured and broken down from time to time, and it was Mr. Hepworth's desire that the boy should be made an example of to deter other offenders. - The Bench ordered defendant to pay the expenses 8s. 6d.

13 February 1891 Another previous offence was reported in the Coventry Herald Friday 13 February 1891 p.8 col.3: THROWING STONES. - Alfred Ball, Chapel-yard, Spon-street, and Reuben Bratt, 34c. 3h. [34 court 3 house], Spon-street, were summoned for throwing stones in Hales street on February 7. - Police-constable Smith said he saw the youths throwing stones at each other, one of which struck the public weighing machine. - The police complained of the nuisance of the practice, and defendants were ordered to pay the expenses.

17 October 1891 Bratt was involved in another offence as reported in the Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser Saturday 17 October 1891 p.3 col.1: THEFTS FROM WARWICK SHOPS. - George Spencer Harrison, of 64, Spon-street, Coventry, aged 17 years, machinist; Reuben Bratt, of 27 court. 2 house, Spon-street, Coventry, machinist, aged 15; and Arthur Clarke, of 126, Spon-street, Coventry, errand boy, aged 14, were charged with stealing a pork pie from Thomas Simmonds, Coten-end, on the 14th inst. - Ann Simmonds said she was the wife of Thomas Simmonds, and she kept refreshment rooms at 33, Coten-end. On the I4th instant, about five minutes to two o'clock, she saw Harrison leaving the shop. She was then in the back room, but she could see through into the shop. She went into the shop immediately and missed a pork pie from a dish in the window. She followed the boy Into the street, caught him at the bottom of Cherry-street, took hold of him by the collar and accused him of taking the pork pie. He said that another young man had taken it and given it to him, but after a while he gave her the pie. He said that another young man had taken it and given it to him, but after a while he gave her the pie. Witness let him go and he went towards Leamington with two other boys. She could not swear that the two boys now in custody were the two she saw with Harrison, but she thought they were. - P.C. Mason said that on account of information received from the last witness about four o'clock on the day named he went to Leamington, and at the Police-station he saw Bratt and Clarke. He said to Bratt that he believed he was the boy whom he wanted for stealing a pork pie in Warwick, and asked him where the third boy was? Bratt said Harrison was in the other room, and that "the one in the other room was the one who stole the pie." Clarke then said "Yes, and he told an untruth about it;" he told the woman that another lad had stolen it and had given it to him. but he left us and went into the shop, and we stopped outside." Harrison was then brought out and charged with the theft. He replied: "Well, I gave it her back again and she let me go then." Witness then brought them to Warwick. - The Bench dismissed the charge against Bratt and Clarke; Harrison elected it to be dealt with summarily. - Before dealing with the case, however, the Bench proceeded to hear another charge against the same boys of stealing two neck-handkerchiefs from the shop of Robert Bruce Turnbull, of Smith-street. - Emily Turnbull, wife of R. B. Turnbull, of 49, Smith-street, Warwick, stated that two boys entered her shop on the 14th inst., between eleven and one o'clock, and asked to look at some mufflers. Witness could not swear to their identity, but she thought the two were Harrison and Clarke. She showed them some cotton mufflers, but they said they wanted some cashmere ones. She left the box on the counter and turned her back to find the cashmere ones, and when she again turned towards the counter the smaller of the two boys had left the shop. She did not miss the mufflers as the box was exactly as she left It. but P.C. Mason had brought them to her that morning and asked her if she recognised them. She did recognise them, and on looking in the box she found there was only one left. She felt sure there were three in the box when she showed them to the prisoners the day before, and she believed more, but would not swear there were more than three. Witness valued the two articles at 7½d. each. - P.C. Mason said that while he was at the Leamington police-station on Wednesday night the sergeant told him that they had sent some neck-handkerchiefs over to Warwick which were found on Harrison and Clarke. Bratt then said: "I'm clear of everything yet, you have got nothing against me." He looked at Harrison and said: "It was you and Clarke that fetched them. I stopped outside." Clarke then told witness that Harrison and himself went in the shop to buy a muffler, and whilst the woman was reaching the others down from the shelf Harrison took a handkerchief and put it in his pocket and told him to do the same, which he did. - In this case the Bench again dismissed the charge agalnst Bratt. - Both Harrison and Clarke pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. - Clarke said his parents lived at Coventry. - Harrlson said he had no parents or friends, but was stopping at Coventry with a Mrs. Fletcher. He was last employed at Singer's bicycle manufactory, but since then (six weeks) he had been out of work. - Inspector Hall said that he had written to Clarke's and Bratt's parents but had received no answer. - The Bench adjourned the case till Friday in order to give the parents an opportunity to reply.

27 November 1891 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Coventry Herald Friday 27 November 1891 p.7 col.4: TILL ROBBERY BY LADS. - Charles Harrison (17), machinist, 44, Gas-street, and Reuben Bratt (15), machinist, 28c. 2h. [28 court 2 house], Spon-street, were charged with stealing, on the 19th inst., from a till at the Old Half Moon public-house, Hertford-place, 5s. 6d., the monies of Frederick William Asbury, licensed victualler. - Martha Asbury appeared to prosecute, and said that about 12.30 on the day in question (Thursday) the prisoner Bratt came to the bar and requested witness to give him a pipe, which she refused to do. She then went into the back kitchen, and while sitting there the prisoner Harrison came into the bar. He asked for a two shilling piece to be changed, but she told him that she could not, as she was short of change. She did not trouble to get up from her seat. A few minutes afterwards she had occasion to go to the till, when she found all the silver, to the amount of ss. 6d., gone. The till was behind the counter. When she missed the money she sent to the police-station, and a boy came in and informed her that he had seen the two prisoners loitering about. There was a jubilee shilling among the silver. - Charles Jackson, a boy twelve years of age, living at the back of 24, Hertford-place, stated that he saw the prisoners go into the house, and heard Harrison ask the landlady to change the piece of silver. He also saw Bratt rifle the till, whereupon he told the neighbours what he had seen, and when he returned he saw the prisoners changing money. - John William Haley (14), 8c., 11h., Well-street, said that he was in the company of the prisoners for about a hour and a half. He waited outside the Old Half Moon while the prisoners "went inside to get some money." They told him to keep guard while they were so doing. He was given 2½d. by the prisoners for promising not to say anything about the affair. - Police-sergeant Hobley deposed that on Thursday, from information received, he apprehended the two prisoners. When at the station Harrison made a statement to the effect that he had concealed some money at the back of 44, Gas-street (his place of abode). He, in company with Police-constable Smith, went to the house, where Harrison took half-a-crown, a two shilling piece, and a jubilee shilling from the dust hole. Harrison said he had only taken two shillings from the till, and Bratt that he only received 6d. of the money. - The Chief Constable gave the prisoners a bad character, and said that both had been before the Court on two previous occasions. He believed they had been the instrument of other till robberies that had been reported. In the case of the witness Haley he requested that his expenses might be disallowed, because he had reason to believe he was one of the gang. - Harrison was sentenced to 28 days' imprisonment with hard labour, and Bratt to 14 days; to be followed by five years in a reformatory in the case of the younger prisoner. -The witness Haley was censured by the Bench.

1 June 1895 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Bratt was licensed to go out and work for Mr Clarke, Manor Farm, Over Whitacre, near Coleshill

3 December 1896 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

8 December 1896 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bratt, Whitacre

14 June 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bratt, Coventry

11 October 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bratt, The Camp, Dorset

12 August 1902 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bratt, Coventry

6 October 1903 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bratt, Nuneaton

9 August 1904 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bratt, Nuneaton