Saltley Reformatory

Frank Odell - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1288
Age:	14 (born 14 December 1886)
Whence received:	Sevenoaks Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Grey mottled
Height:	4 ft 10 ins
Particular marks:	Small scar inside finger left arm; 1 faint vacc. mark left arm
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	27 November 1901
Late residence:	Hertford Place, St John's Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Companion of a gang of young thieves
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 5
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 5
Offence:	Larceny from the person
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Lack of parental control
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	19 November 1901; W S McClelland; Sevenoaks Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	Not
Sentence:	3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	Fined 6s 6d and costs
For what:	Foul language
Father's name:	Henry Odell
Occupation:	Upholsterer
Mother's name:	Catherine Odell
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	Not stated
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not yet assessed
Parents address:	Hertford Place, St John's Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent A Taylor, Sevenoaks
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

22 November 1901 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 22 November 1901 p.8 col.2: TROUBLESOME BOYS. Frank Odell, 14, and Herbert Jury [first name actually Albert, boy 1287], 14, of St. John's, were charged with stealing one penny worth of sweets, the property of Walter Cope, at Sevenoaks on the 18th inst. - Walter Cope, a school teacher, living at St. John's, said that on Monday afternoon about 1.30, he sent a boy named Osborne for a paper, and also to get him a pennyworth of sweets from Mr. Norris's shop. The boy came back crying, and in consequence of what he said witness sent for Sergt. Stroud, He gave the boy a penny. - Frank Osborne, 12 years, of Greatness, said that at half past one the previous day, Mr. Cope sent him for a pennyworth of sweets. As he was coming out of Mr. Norris's shop. Jury knocked the sweets out of his hand. He picked them up, and as he was going down Bushe's Row, both the boys threw chestnuts at him. They hit him on the head and threw stones and hit him on the back and the feet. One of the boy's knocked the sweets out of his hands, picked them up and ran away. Witness told Mr. Cope. - Sergt. Stroud proved arresting the prisoners. About 2 o'clock on Monday he received information of the theft. He went in search of the prisoners, about 4 o'clock he found them both near the Bat and Ball, St. John's, and on taking them to St. John's School, they were identified by the last witness. When charged, they both admitted the offence and said they should not have taken the sweets if Osborne had not been so cheeky. - There were previous convictions against the prisoners and Superintendent Taylor said that the boys were a regular nuisance. - Rev. J. P. David said that complaints had been made against the boy Jury during the last 18 months, and he had constantly been warned as to his behaviour. Odell was in the Church School and had been a member of the Church Lad's Brigade. - The two lads elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty. - The magistrates made an order that the boys should be sent to a reformatory school for 3 years, and they were remanded until arrangements could be made to carry out the order.

1 April 1904 The Medical Officer reported: Catarrh, well by 11 April

22 September 1904 Discharged from Saltley by Order of the Home Secretary on account of enlisting. The Log Book records: I received a letter from the Bandmaster of the Warwickshire Regiment stationed at Devonport offering to take 2 of our boys in his band, and on the recommendation of Lord Norton. I sent him Frank Odell and F Barratt [boy 1295]. I obtained the sanction of the parents to the enlistment of these boys and the Home Secretary granted their discharge

No. in Admissions Register:	360
Date of admission:	19 August 1867
Whence received:	Stafford Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fair
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Blue
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Neither
Particular marks:	Mark on shoulder
Cutaneous disorder?	Not
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	10 – said to be, but looks younger
Illegitimate?	-
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Bilston
Parish he belongs to:	Bilston
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Not at all
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing 10s
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence:	19 July 1867
Where convicted:	Bilston
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	1 month prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	None
Father's name:	George Bagley
Occupation:	Engine tenter [tender?]
Residence:	Green Croft, Bilston
Mother's name:	Mary Bagley
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	1s 6d 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:

20 July 1867 There is a very brief report, with a slightly mangled surname, in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 20 July 1867 p.5 col.1: Enoch Baggally was sentenced to five years in a reformatory, for stealing about 10s. from a till in the shop of Messrs. Price and Beebee, printers, of High Street [Bilston].

Edward Hartop - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
aka Edward Llewellyn

No. in Admissions Register:	223
Date of admission:	10 July 1861
Whence received:	Walsall Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	-
Hair colour:	-
Eyes colour:	-
Perfect vision?	-
State of health:	-
Able-bodied?	-
Sound intellect?	-
Use of all limbs?	-
Had cow or small pox?	-
Particular marks:	-
Cutaneous disorder?	-
Scrofulous or consumptive?	-
Subject to fits?	-
Age last birthday:	14
Illegitimate?	-
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Walsall
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:	Vagrancy
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Neglect of parents
Date of sentence:	27 June 1861
Where convicted:	Walsall, H Highway and W Ward
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	14 days prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	-
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	Both parents have abandoned their son
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
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:	21 Apr 1864 - Left on license, later joined Royal Navy

Notes:

29 June 1861 There is a report of an offence in the Walsall Free Press and General Adveriser Saturday 29 June 1861 p.3 cols3-4: STREET ARABS - Edward Hartop, James Hawkins, and John Brennan ere charged with vagrancy. Police Constable No.14 stated that, about one o'clock on Tuesday morning, he found the prisoners sleeping in Marsh-lane. He took them into custody. Mr. Cater stated that Hartop had been sent from this court to reformatory, some time since, but he could not be received there in consequence of a very bad heel he had. The heel was now well. Something should be done for the boy, as he had neither home nor friends. Mrs. Hawkins, the step- mother of one of the prisoners, begged that her step-son might be let off and she and his father would endeavour to see that he led a more regular life, Mrs. Brennan then appeared and said her son had worked very steadily during the winter, but when the fine weather came on, he went away with other boys to idle about the country. His father and herself had in vain tied him up and locked him up-he always managed to escape. The Bench dismissed Hawkins and Brennan with a caution, and Hartop was sentenced to be imprisoned for fourteen days.

17 February 1864 Licensed but returned after a few days

21 April 1864 Licensed to work for Mr John Walker, bridle cutter, Littleton Street, Walsall

May 1867 Gone off from Walsall on tramp

January 1868 On board the Impregnable [a training ship] about to be transferred to the Canopus [an old Royal Navy ship, laid up in Devonport]

James Robins - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	219
Date of admission:	22 May 1861
Whence received:	Birmingham Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:''''''	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:	'
Height:'	-
Figure: '	-
Complexion:'	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:'	Hazel
Perfect vision?'	Yes
State of health:''	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?'	Yes
Use of all limbs?''	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Yes
Particular marks:	Dark mole on right arm
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	12
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	42 Lancaster Street, Walmer Lane, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Gas fitting
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:	'
Reads:	Imperfectly
General ability:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing a workbox and guard chain
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence:	9 May 1861
Where convicted:	Birmingham, T C S Kynnersley
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	14 days prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Stealing 8 pigeons (3 days and whipped)
Father's name:	Henry Collins (stepfather)
Occupation:	Gas fitter
Residence:	42 Lancaster Street, Birmingham
Mother's name:	Elizabeth Collins
Occupation:	Lacquerer
Residence:	42 Lancaster Street, Birmingham
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Both
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Worked with his stepfather and was well looked after
Character of parents	Hard working man and woman
Parents' wages:	Stepfather 18s per week, mother 6s
Amount parents agree to pay:	An order to be made
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	G Glossop
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	T C S Kynnersley
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

10 May 1861 There is a report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Post Friday 10 May 1861 p.3 col.2: A COUPLE OF JUVENILE THIEVES. -Two boys named William Collins and James Robins, pleaded guilty to stealing a work box, containing a guard chain and other articles, from the house of Thomas Kimberlin, a labourer, residing In Love Lane. It seems tbat on the previous evening the prisoners went to the prosecutor's house on an errand. The house was left in charge of a little girl, who went out of the kitchen to fetch a garment for the prisoners. and during her absence they took a work-box containing tbe guard chain and some pledge tickets. Collins, who bore a good character, was discharged, with a caution, but Robins, who has been in custody before for felony, was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, and after the expiration of that term, to be sent to a Reformatory

29 July 1865 Licensed to work for his mother

July 1867 Called at the school - seemed to be doing pretty well

July 1868 Called at the school - seemed to be doing well working for a gunmaker in Whittall Street

October 1868 Called at the school

November 1869 Called at the school - seemed to be doing well working for a gunmaker in Whittall Street

Herbert Gillam- Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	777
Age:	14
Whence received:	H M Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	Cut left side forehead
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Robust
Date of admission:	24 August 1885
Late residence:	Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill
Parish he belongs to:	Brierley Hill
Customary work and mode of life:	Blower at chain works
Whether illegitimate:	Yes
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing iron
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	3 August 1885; Henry Sweet; Brierley Hill Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	21 days hard labour in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	-
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Squire Collins (reputed father, 1881 census gives his first name as Thomas)
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Mother - dead 6 years
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Neglected
Character of parents	Drunken. Prisoner's parents lived together for a number of years, and had a family but were not married. The mother affiliated the prisoner and three other children, and the father (S Collins) was ordered to pay 10s per week, which was 2s 6d for each child until it was 13 years old.
Parents' wages:	About 25s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Father refuses to pay anything. Ought to be compelled to pay 1s 6d per week
Parents address:	Squire Collins - Merry Hill, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	John Woolaston, Superintendent of Police, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

8 August 1885 There is a short report of the crime in the County Express; Brierley Hill, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, and Dudley News Saturday 8 August 1885 p.7 col.1: DISHONEST YOUTHS. - Timothy Perks (11) and Robert Gillam (14) [first name given thus] Sheffield Street Quarry Bank, were charged with stealing scrap iron belonging to Samuel Taylor, chain manufacturer, the Thorns. - Defendants were seen to take the iron on the 30th. July by Mr Priest, a foreman in the employ of the prosecutor. - Police-constable Trotter arrested the defendants. - The Bench fined Perks 5s and committed Gillam for twenty-one days, the latter to be detained afterwards in a reformatory for four years.

31 January 1889 The Register of Boys on Licence reports that Gillam was licensed to go out and work for Mr Granger, Vine Street, Quarry Bank

15 May 1889 The Reformatory Committee Log Book reports that Gillan was formally discharged from Saltley having died. In the report to Committee it says: I very much regret to have to report the death of Herbert Gillam, whilst on licence. He sustained an injury to his fingers whilst at work, and tetanus supervening, his recovery was hopeless. A coroner;s inquest was held upon the case, and his employers acquitted from all blame, and a verdict of accidental death returned. The employers very kindly paid the doctor's bill and also the cost of the internment.