Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com

JOnes - 1958

Mrs Ruth Swannell (ne Roe, ex Jones) - 1889 - 1961

Elizabeth Doris Jones - daughter of above
Gladys May Jones. - daughter of above

Owen Jones. - Cousin of Bill, Susan, Dora and Emma

Richard Stanley Jones - 1908 - 1979 - son of Arthur and Ruth Jones
Noreen Jones - (ne Ethel Grace Pass? - 'Noreen,' Ex Slack)
William Jones (Bill, ne Slack) - 1.6.1944
Susan M. Jones.

Les Bailey
Dora Bailey (ne Bloor, ex Jones.
Dora A.Heath-Caldwell (ne Jones - 1935)
Emma Jones (ne Edna)

24 January 1958

Royal Alexandra & Albert School - Protection Against Poliomyelitis.

The Secretary apologises for writing to you again on the above mentioned subject. Our Medical Officer has, however, insisted that the forms of consent in respect of children to be vaccinated against poliomyelitis should be signed by the child's legal guardian and not by the school on behalf of the guardian.

As you will see from the attached form, your signature is required on the tear-off slip at the bottom of the form. Children will be vaccinated, as vaccine becomes available, in various age groups. It was felt, however, simpler to obtain parental consent in respect of all children in the school so that these consent forms are available to the medical Officer as he wishes to proceed with vaccination.

The scheme is a voluntary one and if you wish to withhold your consent to vaccination, you are entitled to do so. It should be mentioned that a child, not vaccinated, who is living in a community consisting of children who have been vaccinated, does in all probability run a greater risk of contracting the illness than a child living amongst other children who have not been vaccinated. We, therefore, hope that no parent will refuse to sign the enclosed form.

The greater part of the polio vaccine available is American and Canadian Salk Vaccine. If any parent wishes to insist upon the use of British vaccine it will mean some delay in vaccination but you are at liberty to ask for British vaccine.
Please return the form to me.
E. A. Corner, Secretary.
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5 February 1958
To - Mrs Slack, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
From - Child Care Officer.
Dear Mrs Slack,
I have received the enclosed form from William's school regarding protection against poliomyelitis, and if you would like William to be vaccinated against poliomyelitis please sign the bottom part of the form and return it to me.
Yours sincerely,
Child Care Officer.
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20 March 1958

From - Child Care Officer
To - Mrs Slack, Bencomb Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
Dear Mrs Slack.

Thank you very much for your telephone message. I think it will be possible for Bill to remain at the school for the Easter holidays in the care of his House-parents, Mr and Mrs Jeffries, who a short time ago said that if there was any difficulty this Easter they would almost certainly be willing to have Bill to stay with them.

This is most kind of Mr and Mrs Jeffries but I feel sure you will appreciate that they can scarcely be expected to have Bill as a regular routine during holiday periods, and I shall be grateful for anything you can do to make it possible to have Bill with you either for the whole or part of future holidays.
I think it is likely that Bill may wish sometimes to go to Leicester in order to see his father, but as emphasized when I spoke to you by telephone recently, Bill very much wishes to see you again.
As you are unable to have him this Easter perhaps you will make a point of visiting him at school during next term. If you could write to Bill straight away telling him you will do this I feel sure it will do much to put his mind at rest.
Yours sinerely,
Child Care Officer.
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20 March 1958
From - Child Care Officer.
To - Bill Slack, Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
Dear Bill,

I was very pleased to see you when I was at your school recently and as promised I have now been in touch with your mother: unfortunately it will not be possible for you to stay with her this Easter even for a weekend.

I know you will be disappointed about this but I have written to Mr Corner saying I would like to accept Mr and Mrs Jeffries very kind offer to have you to stay with them during the holiday.
I have suggested to your mother that she should make a point of coming down to see you at school some time next term, and perhaps she will mention this next time she writes to you.
All best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Child Care Officer.
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20 March 1958
To - E.A. Corner Esq, B.Com., A.C.I.S., Secretary, The Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.

Dear Mr Corner, Re : William Slack. (1.6.44)
Further to my conversation with Mr and Mrs Jeffries and Bill when I was at your school a short time ago, I have now been in touch with Mrs Slack who says it is quite impossible for William to spend either the whole or part of the Easter holiday with her.

In the circumstances I should like to accept Mr and Mrs Jeffries very kind offer to have the lad to stay with them.

I would suggest that after the Easter holiday we should find out what Bill's feelings are about future holidays and consider the possibility of finding him a regular holiday foster home, for I do not suppose Mr and Mrs Jeffries will feel able frequently to have Bill with them during the holidays.
Yours sincerely,
Child Care Officer.
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5 March 1958 - Childrens Visitor
Visited: saw Mr Wylie, Mr and Mrs Jeffries and Bill: the staff report fairly well on Bill and Jeffries says there is a steady improvement in his school work. The lad is in the A stream. There are moments when Bill seems full of resentment and he can be very obstinate and awkward.
Bill greeted me well but his conversation quickly "dried up," and he seemed ill at ease at times. He does not belong to the Scouts at school and shows no inclination to join. He reads a good deal. He now receives 2/6d a week pocket money. Mother has never visited him since he went back to the school and the lads says he has written her six times this term and has received no reply.
He would like to go to his mother for Easter holiday and seems not at all keen to go to Leicester. He did not like the children's home where he went at Christmas and said there was nothing to do there.
He spent a couple of days with his grandmother (20 miles away) and saw his father nearly every day (4 miles away).

Jeffries feels Bill shoudl not be forced to go to Leicester and says he and his wife would be willing to have him if need be. Said I would contact Mrs Slack. Bill, also, will write.
Mr Corner says that Mrs Slack has made only one payment of 10/- since Bill re-entered the school (debt about £40). Said I would speak to our Collector.
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20 March 1958
From A.S. Jones (R.S.J.), 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
To The Children's Officer. - attn Mr Emerson.
Re - William Slack in car of Bucks C.C.

Reference accommodation for the above, as I will not be in Leicester during Easter, I wonder if you could fix him up nearer to his mother at Marlow, Bucks, so that he may be able to visit her during his holidays.
William continues to express his desire to take up farming after leaving school and I think that it would be useful to him if you could fix him up on a farm during holiday periods so that he may obtain some first hand experience before he finally makes up his mind.
I would be pleased to received your comments on this in due course.
Yours faithfully. A.S. Jones.
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21 March 1958
from - L.B. Briars Esq., 26 Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.
Memorandum
Re - William Slack (1.6.44) Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
Bill's Easter holiday is from the 2nd to the 23rd April 1958, and he will be with his houseparents - Mr and Mrs Jeffries at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School during this period.
Child Care Officer.
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22nd March 1958
From - Children's Officer, (Mary Stuart?) City of Leicester Children's Department.
To Miss E.R.S. Duncan M.A., County Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Dear Miss Duncan,

Re - WIlliam Slack.
I have today received a letter from William's father, Mr Jones, asking that arrangements be made for William to spend his Easter vacation nearer to his mother.
He also wishes William to obtain some farming experience. I enclose a copy of the letter.
I should be pleased to receive your comments in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Stuart (?) - Children's Officer.
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27 March 1958
From Children's Officer,
To Miss M. Stuart, B.A., M.Ed., Children's Officer, City of Leicester Children's Department, 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.

Re William Slack (1.6.44), Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate.
In reply to your letter of the 22nd March, 1958 William had said that he wished to go to his mother at Easter, but unfortunately she says it is impossible for her to have the lad.
As William did not seem at all keen to go to Leicester, I have accepted a very kind offer from his House -parents at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School, and the lad will be staying with them.
I have noted Mr Jones's remarks about William's after school career, and I will keep them in mind in planning William's future.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.
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10 April 1958
Surrey County Council - Gatton County Secondary.
(School Report)
Name - Slack, William, Form - 3A. Age 13/8. Average Age of Form - 14.
English - 46% - C- - Inconsistant. (sig)
History - 55% - C+ - Marked improvement in standard of work
Geography - 45% - C- - Must work hard during exams. (sig R.D.)
Mathematics - 70% - B- - Very good work & figures (sig )
Science -
Domestic Science - Cookery, Needlework
Art - 20 - B - Fairly good only, at his best. (sig )
Music -
Woodwork / Metalwork - 43 - B- - Has improved - (sig)
Tecnhical Drawing - 42 - B- - Steady progress. (sig)
Commerical - Shorthand, Typing, Book-Keeping

Total Marks obtained- 345.
Total Marks possible - 800
Postiion in Form - 27.
Number in Form - 35.
Times Absent
Times Late
General Remarks - On the whole has shown a marked improvement in the standard of his work.
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8 April 1958
Memorandum - L.G. Briars,Esq., 26 Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.
William Slack (1.6.44)

Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park. Reigate, Surrey
You may be wondering about William's Easter holiday. He will be spending the period 2nd to 23 April with his House parents at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School.
Child Care Officer.
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6 June 1958
William continues at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School and the staff there seem satisfied with the progress he is making. He is an intelligent boy of good potentialities who has suffered badly from having no regular permanent home. His house parents at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School say that he is a tempuramental lad who needs a good deal of understanding.

They say that their relationship with him has improved considerably since he stayed with them for the school holiday at Easter.

William has said that he would like to remain at the school until he is 16 years of age in order to take the G.C.K. examination and he has said that on leaving school he would like to take to farming.
The Headmaster reports that William is not a strong candidate for the G.C.E. examination and he said there would be no difficulty about the lad remaining at school for an addition year without taking the examination.

The Royal Alexandra & Albert School has made arrangements this summer for William to spend his holiday with some foster parents in Yorkshire. After going there William became unsettled largely because of a strong desire to see is parents who he knew were intending to marry in a matter of a few weeks, and the arrangements broke down when William left the foster parents and took himself to Leicester where his parents were.

He has been able to remain with them and will return to school on the 17th September.
It is hoped that the lad will finish his schooling at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School and the parents have been told that is is expected they will have him in future during school holidays.
If they will do this there is no doubt that William will benefit considerably from feeling that he has a home where he is wanted.
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11 June 1958
From - Child Care Officer.
To - Mrs Slack, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
Dear Mrs Slack.

I am wondering whether you have any suggestions to make about Bill's summer holiday which will be from the 31st July to the 17th September.
When I saw Bill recently, he told me that his father was hoping to arrange for him to stay on a farm near Leicester for either the whole or part of the holiday. I am making enquiries about this, and willl let you know for what period, if any, Bill is able to go to this farm.
I had quite a long chat with Bill, and he said he would very much like to see you and to spend part of the holiday with you. I know of your difficulties, but am wondering whether it would be possible for the lad to spend a weekend, or two or three weeks with you.
You will be pleased to know that Bill seems to be doing very well at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School, and that the Staff there are quite pleased with him.
Yours sincerely,
Child Care Officer.
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11 June 1958 (label filed 24 June 1958)
In reply please quote 3/EP Your ref. AGE/MM
From Children's Officer

To W.A.B. Evans Esq., Children's Officer, City of Leicester Children's Department, 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.

Re William Slack (1.6.44). Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey
Dear Mr Evans,

Miss Stuart has kindly assisted me in the past in making arrangements for this boy's school holidays, and I shall be grateful if you could arrange for his father, Mr. R.S. Jones 66 Tudor Road, Leicester to be visited to ascertain what plans, if any, he has for William's summer holiday which will be from the 31st July to the 17 September, 1958.

William has said recently that his father has promised to arrange for him to stay on a farm near Leicester for the whole or part of the holiday, and if the father is able to arrange this I think it would be very suitable, for the lad wishes to take up agricultural work on leaving school.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.
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25 June 1958.
From - Child Care Offcer.
To - Mrs Slack, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks,
Dear Mrs Slack,
I wrote to you on the 11th June asking whether you had any suggestion for Bill's summer holiday, and I shall be pleased to receive a reply.
Yours sincrerely,
Child Care Officer.
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7 July 1958
From - The Secretary, Royal Alexandra & Albert School
To - Miss E.R.S. Duncan, The Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 18 Walton St, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Re - William Slack.

Dear Miss Duncan,
I am pleased to tell you that we have been able to arrange for William to spend at least part of the Summer holiday with foster parents.

Mr and Mrs Eskriett of 54 School Street, Great Houghton, near Barnsley, Yorks have kindly offered to have William for the first three weeks of the holiday. If they like William and if he takes to them, they will be prepared to have him for the whole holiday.

We know Mr and Mrs Eskriett quite well, they have helped us with boys before and they will, I think, take a permanent interest in the boy if this holiday proves to be satisfactory.

When Mr Harding called at this office he did say that William's father was trying to make arrangements for the boy to stay in Leicester for two weeks. As I have heard nothing from Mr Harding, I am presuming that these arrangements fell through.

I would be pleased to hear by return of post, that you approve of these plans for William's Summer holiday.
Yours sincerely,
(sig)
Secretary.
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10 July 1958
From - Child Care Officer.
To - Mrs Slack, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
Dear Mrs Slack,
I wrote to you on the 11th and 25th June regarding Bill's summer holiday, which is from the 31st July until the 17th September, and I shall be pleased to hear from you.

When I first wrote to you I mentioned that Bill had told me that his father was hoping to arrange for him to stay on a farm near Leicester, and I have been trying to get confirmation of this.

I know Bill would like to see something of you during the holiday but if this is quite impossible kindly write and let me know.
Yours sincerely,
Child Care Officer.
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11 July 1958
From Children's Officer.
To - E.A. Corner B.Com,. A.C.I.S., Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
Re - William Slack (1.4.44)
Dear Mr Corner,
Thank you for your letter of the 7th July 1958, letting me know that Mr and Mrs Eskriett are willing to have William for the first three weeks of his summer holiday, with a possibility of an extension to cover the whole period.

In the event of Mr and Mrs Eskriett feeling unable to keep William for the whole period I should have to admit him to our Children's Home at Bledlow, and on the 21st August the older children will be away on holiday.

In the circumstances I wonder whether we could accept Mr and Mrs Eskreitt's offer for the first fortnight, that is, arranging for him to return on August 14th. Perhaps Mr and Mrs Eskriett would be willing to write to me at the end of the first week saying whether or not they felt able to keep the lad for the period after the 14th.

Following Mr Harding's last visit to your school I asked the Children's Officer for Leicester to interview William's father to ascertain what arrangements he had in mind for William, and I have now heard from the Children's Officer saying the she had been unable to get into touch with the father.
She will continue to try and contact Mr Jones and if necessary I will write to you again.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.
note -travelling arrangements?
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21 July 1958
From Children's Officer, W.A.R. Evans, City of Leicester Children's Department.
To - Miss E.R.S. Duncan M.A., County Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Re - William Slack.

Dear Miss Duncan,
My Child Care Officer has now mananged to contact Mr Jones and has been informed that he has now temporarily change his address from 66 Tudor Road, Leicester, to The Old Cottage, Willoughby Waterless, Leicestershire, telphone number Peatling Magna, 389.

Mr Jones has made no arrangements of his own for William's summer vacation and will be quite happy to comply with any arrangements which you have made on his behalf.

There is hope of a reconciliation taking place between Mr Jones and William's mother and if this comes about, they expect to be together in late August when they will return to 66 Tudor Road.
According to Mr Jones, he has issued an ultimatum to William's mother, giving her until August to decide whether to return to him or not.

Mr Jones also suggested that William should, on leaving school, enter the Wallingford Training Scheme or some other alternative scheme, so that he can learn farming properly.
There seems some doubt as to what age William is expected to leave school and Mr Jones will be pleased to received your comments on this item also.
Yours sincerely,
(sig) W.A.R. Evans,
Children's Officer.
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30 July 1958
From - Surrey County Council.
Report f0or the term ended 30th July 1958
Name - William Slack
Form 3A
Age 14/1 Average age of Form 14/3
Subject
English - D- Deteriorating.
History - C, Steady effort & progress.
Georgraphy - C+ A satisfactory improvement
Mathematics - B- Tries hard, good progress
Science - C+ Quite good
Domestic Science
Art - B- Hard to assess, some traces of ability and good work
Music -
Woodworki / Metalwork - C Fair
Technical Drawing - B- Good progress
Commercial - Shorthand, Typewriting, Book-keeping
Conduct - Very Good
General Remarks - Average ability and effort and progress have been steady
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5 August 1958
From - William Slack
To - Mr Harding (Buckinghamshire County Council
54 School St, Great Houghton, nr Barnsley, Yorks.

Dear Mr Harding,
Could you -- (tell?) me about the part of my dad's letter I have surrounded in biro because Mr Corner told me I would go to Bledlow after this but I want to go to Wakefield.
Yours sincerely, William Slack.
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note - from William Slack
I have lost my ticket when coming out of Doncaster Station, will you write to Mr Corner, please
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5 August 1958
From - Child Care Officer

To William Slack, c/o Mr and Mrs Eskriett, 54 School Street, Great Houghton, nr Barnsley, Yorks.

Dear William,
I was very pleased to hear from you and I now return the letter which you received from your father.
I am afraid I cannot help you concerning the part which you have marked for I do not know who Mr Emmerson is, and I have heard nothing about you staying on a farm at Wakefield.
The only thing I ever heard about your staying on a farm was what you told me when I visited you at school last term and you said that your father was hoping to make arrangements for you to stay on a farm.

I understand when you went to stay with Mr and Mrs Eskriett that they would write to us at the end of your first weeks saying whether or not it was possible for you to remain with them for the whole of your school holiday, and I expect we shall be hearing from them during the next few days.
I am sorry to know that you have lost your railway ticket, and Miss Duncan has written to Mrs Eskriett about this today.

I hope you are having a nice holiday and look forward to seeing you again next term.
Yours sincerely,
Child Care Officer.

P.S. I was very interestede to read what your father said about the possibility of your mother going to live with him. I expect you were pleased to know about this and I hope it comes to pass.
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6 August 1958
To Mrs Eskriett, 54 School Street, Great Houghton, Nr Barnsley, Yorks.
From - Children's Officer.
Dear Mrs Eskriett,

Re - William Slack, born 1.6.44
My assistant Mr Harding has received a letter from William in which he mentions that he has lost his return railway ticket. I was wondering whether you could buy him another, and if you will let me know the cost I will see that your are re-imbursed.

I hope William is having a nice time with you and that he has settled into your household. Shortly before William came to you I heard from the Secretary of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School saying that you would write to me at the end of this week saying whether or not you feel able to keep the lad until the end of his school holiday.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.
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19 August 1958
From Mrs R Eskriett, 54 School St, Great Houghton, nr. Barnsley, Yorks.
to - Miss Duncan

Dear Miss Duncan,
I am writing to report to you that William Slack has gone to Leicester this morning, both my husband and myself have told him that we will not be held resonsible as we told him that we could not give him permission to go, but he is a very insolent boy and he said they can't do anything to me for wanting to go home.

He has receivede letters from his father and mother, and he said that they were getting married this week. Apart from that information we are completely in the dark, as far as we know he has only 10/- that is money that we have paid him for odd jobs he has done such as cutting the lawn etc.

5/- of that he asked for last night, he said Mr. Eskriett owed him 5/- the money he was given to come with he spent most of it coming up, he had only 7/10d when he arrived.

He asked to go to a film on the Monday, Mr Eskriett gave him 2/-, he came back pennyless, his father sent him 10/- he went to the pictures Saturday came back with 5d.

When we say anything to him we get nothing but cheek from him, yet he says that he is not cheeky.
I don't know how long he intends to stay in Leicester, he has taken his case but when I went into his room the case was locked so I don't know what he has taken with him apart from pyjamas and a change of underwear.

I have talked to him, he could be a nice boy, but it seems hopeless trying to make him civil.
I am sorry to have to tell you this Miss Duncan, because I feel that we have let you down but whan can one do with such a boy apart from using force. If I had known Miss Potts (the Welfare Officer for this area) address in Pontefract I would have rung her for advice.
Trusing to hear from you.
Yours sincerely, Mrs R. Eskriett.
--------------------------------------------
19th August 1958
to William Slack, 54 School St, Great Houghton, Nr. Barnsley,Yorks.
From Child Care Officer
Dear Bill,
I was very pleased to receive your recent letter telling me who Mr Emerson is. I have again written to the children's officer in Leicester who is in touch with your mother and father, stressing that you would like to see your father sometime soon, and I have said that if it is impossible for them to see you perhaps they would write explaining this, and promise to visit you at school next term. I do not know whether it will be possible for your father to get over to where you are staying but I should think that either he, for your mother, could visit you at school on visiting day.

I understand that your mother and father are to be married on the 22nd off this month and so I imagine they are very busy at the present time.

I will call and see you at school as early as possible in the new term when we can talk about all this very fully.

I hope you are having a nice holiday and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Yours sincerely,

child care officer
--------------------------------------------------------------
25th August 1958

From W.A.B. Evans. Children's officer

Your ref: 1/JB, Authority's Ref: AGE/MK
Miss E.R.S. Duncan, M.A., children's officer, 18 Walton St, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Dear Miss Duncan,

WILLIAM SLACK (1.6.44)
Thank you for your letter of the 21st August 1958, dealing with the questions raised by Mr. Jones

I note that you are prepared to ask your committee to allow William to remain in care until he has completed his formal education and also that you will expect his parents to have him with them for the whole of each school holiday. Might I suggest that you inform Mr. Jones of these decisions direct, so as to avoid any possibility of repercussions at a later date

As you will be aware Mr. Jones is only too willing to endeavour to blame your department for any problems which may arise.

My child care officer, Mr Emerson, has agreed to supervise William during any further holiday periods at home and should any unforeseen difficulties arise during this vacation, you will be kept informed of any action which is taken.

Yours sincerely, W.A.B. Evans, Children's Officer.
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21st August 1958
From children's officer.
To: W.A.B. Evans Esq., Children's Officer,City of Leicester, 20 Millstone Lane,Leicester.
Dear Mr Evans,

William Slack (1.6.44) - Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate.
Thank you for your letters of the 11th and 20th of August. I was on the point of signing a letter to you at the beginning of this week when I received a disquieting letter, of which I attach hey copy, from Mrs Eskriett with whom William has boarded for the school holidays.

You may remember that this arrangement was made by the Royal Alexandra and Albert School and I feel quite sure from the letter that it is a private home and not a children's home.

Since William has taken matters into his own hands and gone to Leicester, I am glad to know that his father is prepared to keep him at home for the rest of the school holidays. I think a good deal of Bill's tiresome behaviour is due to the fact that he has felt badly neglected by his mother who, despite my pleas, never visited the lad after his return to the Royal Alexandra and Albert School.

In many ways I feel inclined to discharge William to his parents now that they are in a position to provide a home for him but the boy has had such a disturbed life and has been pushed around so much that I am prepared to ask my committee to keep him in care until he is ready to start work so that he may finish his formal education at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School.

I shall, of course, expect the parents to have him with them for the whole of each school holiday.

I am most grateful to you for offering to keep in touch with Mr. Jones and help him with any difficulty which may arise during the remainder of the school holiday. I should also be glad if you would undertake to visit the home during subsequent school holidays and do what you can to help William and his parents to build up a reasonable family relationship, although it will undoubtedly be difficult in view of William's age.

If Mr. Jones should have occasion to come to you during this holiday because of William's behaviour with his mother, I should be very glad if you would deal with it in whatever way you think best.

The only children's home in this county to which I could admit him has just gone away on holiday. I feel sure you would endeavour to get Mr. Jones to face up to his responsibilities for William but if you felt it was absolutely essential to arrange for his temporary accommodation away from his home, my committee word accept financial responsibility for whatever arrangement you might make. I hope, however, that this situation will not arise.

And many thanks for your most helpful cooperation.
Yours sincerely

Children's officer.
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21st August 1958

From:- Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council

To:- Mrs Eskriett, 54 school St, Great Houghton, near Barnsley, Yorks.,

Dear Mrs Eskriett,

I am most sorry to learn that you have had so much trouble with William, and that he has now gone off to Leicester without your permission.

I have today heard from the children's officer in Leicester confirming that William arrived there, and apparently his father has said he can stay with him until the end of his school holiday.

I feel it is best to leave William where he is, and I will write to the school before the beginning of next term explaining what has happened. If you find William has left any of his belongings with you I shall be pleased if you will kindly post them off to his school, and if you will let us know the cost of the postage I will see that you are reimbursed.

I would like too thank you very much for having William during this holiday and I am only sorry that he has proved so difficult to manage.

Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.
--------------------------------
25th August 1958
From Children's Officer, Children's Department, City of Leicester.
To: Miss E.R.S. Duncan M.A., Children's Officer,18 Walton St, Aylesbury Bucks.
Dear miss Duncan

William Slack (1.6.44)
Thank you for your letter of the 21st August 1958, dealing with the questions raised by Mr. Jones.
I note that you are prepared to ask your committee to allow William to remain in care until he has completed his formal education and also that you will expect his parents to have him with them for the whole of each school holiday.

Might I suggest that you inform Mr. Jones of these decisions direct, so as to avoid any possibility of repercussions at a later date. As you will be aware Mr. Jones is only too willing to endeavour to blame your department for any problems which may arise.

Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 September 1958

Memorandum

L.G. Briars Esq. - 6 Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.

William Slack (1.6.44) - Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
With reference to my memorandum #11 dated 22nd July 1958, the arrangement which had been made for William's holiday broke down and the lad took himself to his father in Leicester on the 19th of August 1958
Child Care Officer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th September 1958

1. - W.J. Morlay, Esq.,
2. - County Treasurer ( for information)

Slack, William (1.6.44)

I have been notified that the above named boy will be on holiday with his father in Leicester from 19th August 217th September 1958.

Children's Officer
-----------------------------------------------------------
6 September 1958

To:- W.A.B. Evans Esq. Children's Officer, 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.
From:- Children's Officer
In Reply please quote:3/JL. Your ref: AGE/MK

Dear Mr. Evans,

William slack (1.6.44)

I thank you for your letter of the 25th of August 1958 and enclose a letter which I have written to Mr. Jones together with a copy for your records. You mentioned in your letter of 21st July that Mr Jones was staying temporarily at Willoughby Waterless and, as I cannot be certain where he is now living, I shall be pleased if you will kindly forward my letter to him at his present address.

Yours sincerely,

Children's officer
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6 September 1958
From:- Children's Officer, Ayles.
To:- E. Corner Esq, B.com., A.C.I.S., Secretary, Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
Dear Mr Corner,

Re: William Slack (1.6.44)
I regret to have to inform you that the arrangements which you very kindly made for Williams summer holiday broke down when the lad left Mr and Mrs Eskriett and took himself to Leicester to stay with his mother and father. I did not know that the mother was staying in Leicester, and in a letter which I received from the Children's Officer there he told me that the parents were intending to marry during august.

Early in August William wrote to my assistant, Mr Harding, enclosing a letter from his father, in which the father mentioned that William was to stay for part of this holiday on a farm at Wakefield. Shortly after this I heard from the children's officer in Leicester, who said that Mrs Slack had been to see him and she had had a letter from William saying he wanted to see her urgently.

My assistant Mr Harding then received another letter from William in which he said he wished to see his father. During this time I may say that my colleague in Leicester was most helpful and kept in close touch with the parents, but before any of Bill's inquiries could be attended to he took matters into his own hands and travelled to Leicester, and he is remaining there with his parents for the rest of the school holiday.

I received a letter from Mrs Eskriett telling me what had happened and saying that she found William are very insolent boy, and it is clear from her letter that she had considerable difficulty in managing him. I should add that William left Mr and Mrs Eskriett without their permission.

When the children's officer for Leicester informed me that William's parents were intending to marry, he also said that Mr Jones had inquired whether Bill would be able to remain at your school. I have given careful consideration to this request and have replied saying I am quite willing to ask my committee to continue to be financially responsible for William while he remains at your school, and I have made it clear to Mr. Jones that I shall expect him and William's mother to have the lad with them during future holidays.

I think you will agree that probably William's difficult behaviour is at least partly attributable to the fact that he has never had a permanent home and that he has felt himself to be rejected by his parents.

I am pleased to know that they are now married and I feel that if they are able to provide a permanent home for Bill he should become much more settled in himself.

Yours sincerely,

Children's officer.
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8 September 1958
From:- The Secretary, Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
To:- Miss E.R.S. Duncan M.A., Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 13 Walton Street, Aylesbury.

Dear Miss Duncan,
Re:- William Slack (1.6.44)
Thank you for your letter concerning the above named boy. I am sure that Mr and Mrs Eskriett will appreciate that William's difficult behaviour is certainly attributable in part to his unfortunate home background. Mr and Mrs Eskriett are very understandable people and had provided a very happy home for another of our boys who has now left our school.

If William is able to spend his holidays with his father and mother in future this should help him considerably.

Your sincerely,

Secretary
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8 September 1958
From:- Children's Officer, (in reply please quote: 3/JL. (Copy for C.O. Leicester).
To:- Mr Jones, Esq.
Re:- William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear Mr. Jones,

The Children's Officer for Leicester has kept in touch with me over recent weeks and I am sorry to know that the arrangements which were made by the Royal Alexandra and Albert School for William's summer holiday have broken down.

I understand that William is now with you and I hope he is having a good holiday. When the Children's Officer wrote to me early in August he said that you were intending to marry Mrs Slack later that month, and inquired whether it would be possible for William to remain at his present school.

After giving careful consideration to the matter I am prepared to ask my committee to continue to be financially responsible for William until he is ready to start work, and in event of my committee agreeing you would continue to be liable for a contribution towards his maintenance. I think William has suffered a great deal from having no permanent home, and I am pleased to know that you are setting up house, and I anticipate that you will be able to have William to stay with you during future school holidays.

I shall be unable to help you with future holiday periods and unless I hear from you by return I shall take it that you will be able to have the lad with you.

Yours sincerely,

Children's Officer.
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11 September 1958 hello
From:- Children's Officer, City of Leicester Children's Department, 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.
To:- Miss E.R.S. Duncan, M.A., Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.

Dear Miss Duncan,
Re:- William Slack (1.6.44)

Thank you for your letter of the six September 1958, enclosing a copy of the letter which you have written to Mr. Jones.

This has been forwarded to him at 66 kuter road, Mr, as this is the address which Mr. Jones previously occupied with Williams mother and where they have now returned and are hoping to set up home.,

I am pleased to say that so far there have been no further reports of difficult behaviour from Williamson says return to his father.
You sincerely,

Children's officer.
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18 September 1958
From:- K.R. Harding., Children's Department,
Six-Monthly Report on Child in Special School, Residential Employment Etc.
Name - Slack, William, d/b 1.6.44. Sex. M.

Address - The Royal Alexandra & Albert School.
Date of Placement - 21.6.57.
Date of Last Visit - 9.6.58.

William continues at the royal Alexandra and Albert school and the staff there seemed satisfied with the progress he is making. He is an intelligent boy of good potentiality's who has suffered badly from having no regular permanent home.

His house parents at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School say that he is a temperamental lad who needs a good deal of understanding. They say that their relationship with him has improved considerably since he stayed with them for the school holiday at Easter. William has said that he would like to remain at school until he is 16 years of age in order to take the GCE examination and he has said that on leaving school he would like to take up farming.

The headmaster reports that William is not a strong candidate for the GCE examination and has said there would be no difficulty about the lad remaining at school for an additional year without taking the examination.

The Royal Alexandra and Albert School made arrangements this summer for William to spend his holiday with some foster parents in Yorkshire. After going there William became unsettled, largely because of a strong desire to see his parents whom he knew were intending to marry in a matter of a few weeks, and the arrangement broke down when William left the foster parents and took himself to Leicester where his parents work.

He has been able to remain with them and will return to school on the 17th September. It is hoped that the lad will finish his schooling at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, and the parents have been told that it is expected they will have him in future during school holidays.
If they will do this there is no doubt that William will benefit considerably from feeling that he has a home where he is wanted.
Signed K.R.Harding. - Noted R.D. 11.11.58. Report to Committee, S.W., 12.12.58
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20 September 1958
From Children's Officer.
To - R.S. Jones, 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
Dear Mr. Jones,

Hi thank you for your letter of the 12th September and I am sorry- although not entirely surprised- that you are finding William rather difficult to manage. I am well aware that he can be a rather insolent boy at times and that he is rather fickle in his interests.

Since we have known William I have felt that the lad's main difficulty has been his lack of a secure and stable home background, and now that you and his mother are able to offer him more security than he has had before I should expect Williams difficult behaviour gradually to diminish. I think we should be foolish however to expect to see a sudden improvement, while I am sure it will take the boy some time to adjust himself.

I think there is rather more likelihood now that William has greater security that he will develop more permanent interests, and this should enable him to get on better with those around him.

I note what you say in your letter about the possibility of William suffering from some form of mental illness, but I rather doubt whether this is the case. My assistant Mr Harding will however be visiting William at school early this term and will discuss this point with his housemaster who knows him very well. If it is thought advisable I will certainly arrange for they lad to be examined by a psychiatrist.

I do not know whether you often come to the South of England, but if it is possible for you sometime to visit William's school I feel sure the staff would be very glad to see you. The staff always find it easier to handle difficult boys if they know as much as possible about their background, and I feel sure you will be able to tell them a good deal about william.

Yours sincerely,

Children's officer
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8 October 1958
From - K.R.H. Child Care Officer.
To - L.G. Briars Esq.,

William Slack ( 1.6.44) Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
I understand that Mrs slack has now married the boys father, Mr. Jones, and that they have set up home at his father's address, 66 pewter road, Leicester.

Please amend your records.

KRH - Child Care Officer
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27 October 1958
From - Morley, Chief Collector and Assessment Officer.
To - Miss R. Duncan, Children's Officer.
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

With reference to my memorandum of 16th October 1957 you will wish to know that the mother of the above named child, Mrs Ethel Grace Jones, is now residing at 66 Tudor Road, Leicester, and the City of Leicester has accordingly accepted responsibility for the collection of parental contributions, together with the arrears outstanding, amounting to £7 11s 4d as at 18th October, 1958 which have accrued under the contribution order.
(signed) Morley.
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24 November 1958
To - Mr Harding, Buckinghamshire County Council.
From - William Slack. The royal Alexandra and Albert school getting park, ryegate, sorry

Dear Mr Harding,

I hope you are keeping well. I am getting on alright at the school (I hope).
Could you find Stewart White's address please, he was at Wing Lodge the same time as I was.
Your sincerely
W Slack
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28 November 1958
From - The Secretary, the royal Alexandra and Albert school

To - Miss R. Duncan, Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.

Dear Miss Duncan,
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)
I thank you for your letter of November 25th. I expect that you have now received the holiday forms for William but I will send a duplicate set to Mr and Mrs Jones. The holiday dates are December 20th do January 10th.

Yours sincerely,

Signed secretary.
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25 November 1958

From - Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council
To - Mr E.Corner, Esq., B.Com., A.C.I.S., Secretary, Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate.
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear Mr corner
Unless I hear from you to the contrary I will presume you are making arrangements direct with William's parents for him to spend Christmas holiday with them.

I shall be pleased if you will kindly let me know the dates of your holiday as the parents are not liable for a contribution towards Williams maintenance during the period he is with him.

Yours sincerely,
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25 November 1958
From - Children's Officer,
To - William Slack, Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Edingburgh House, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
Dear bill,

I am very pleased to receive your recent letter and to know that you are getting on alright at school this term. I doubt whether i shall be able to visit you before Christmas but will try to get down to see you some time next term.

Stewart White returned to live with his parents when he left school, and his address is-
19, Hill Street, High Wycombe, Bucks.

I am pleased to say he is getting on very well and I am sure he will be pleased to hear from you.
I have heard nothing about your school holidays this Christmas and I expect Mr Corner has sent the notification direct to your parents.
Please give my regards to Mr and Mrs Jeffries.
Yours sincerely, Child Care Officer.
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5 December 1958
From - Children's Officer.
To - Mr W.A.B. Evans Esq., Children's Officer, 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.
Re - William Slack (1.6.44) Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
Dear Mr. Evans,

In your letter of the 21st of August 1958 you start stated that your Child Care Officer, Mr Emerson, had kindly agreed to supervise William during holiday periods, and I write to let you know that Williams holiday this Christmas will be from the 20th December to the 10th January 1959.

The secretary of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School is in touch with Mr. Jones at the present time, and I do not anticipate there will be any difficulty about William spending his holiday with his parents.

Your sincerely,
Child Care Officer.
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18 December 1958
From - Child Care Officer.
To - L.G. Briars, Esq., 26 Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.

Re - William Slack (1.6.44) Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Gatton park, Reigate, Surrey

I think you know that this boy's parents married earlier this year and in agreeing to keep the boy at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School we made it clear that we expected his parents to have him during holiday times.

The Christmas holiday at the royal Alexandra and Albert school is from the 20th December to the 10th January 1959 and we wrote to the school secretary a few weeks ago asking him to let us know whether there was any difficulty in arranging for William to stay with them.
We have heard nothing from the secretary and I think we can assume that the lad is spending this. With his parents.
Child care officer.
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19 December 1958
From - Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury.
To - W.J. Morley Esq,, County Treasure4r (for information)
Re - William Slack (1.6.44) Royal Alexandra and Albert School. Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey
you will wish to know that the above named boy will be spending the Christmas holidays from the 20th December 1958 with his parents. I will notify you when he returns to school.
Children's officer
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19 December 1958
From - Surrey County Council. Gatton County Secondary School.
Report for Term Ended - 19th December 1958
Name - William Slack, Age 14/6, Form 4A, Average Age of Form 14/9
Subject.
English D   Too easily satisfied. Not enough effort. - GM
History C+   Very keen and works well. - CS
Geography C+   Has worked well but is very untidy
Mathematics   C-   Fair work - WFT
Science C+   Quite reasonable work.
Domestic Science. - Cooking, Needlework
Art B   Signs that last terms good trends are being realised. MH
Music
Woodwork / Metalwork.    C+    Steady progress
Technical Drawing.       C   Steady progress
Commercial -Shorthand, Typewriting, Book-keeping
General Remarks - A fair term but I look for improvements in many ways next to term.
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Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.