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 - 1959

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
Ethel Grace Jones - ('Noreen,' ne Pass? 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)

15 January 1959

To - Mr R.S.Jones Esq., 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.

Dear Mr. Jones,
I have heard from the Children's Officer in Leicester to say that Mr.Emerson called on you several times during William's holiday but that he was unable to find you at home. I would like Mr Emerson to visit William while he is staying with you at holiday times, and if, in future, you will not be at 66 Tudor Road, I shall be pleased if you will kindly let me know.

I hope William had a nice holiday with you this Christmas and my assistant Mr Harding, who knows him, hopes to visit him at school some time soon.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.

17 February 1959

From - Children's Officer, (in reply quote:3/JL. Your ref: AGE/YPF
To - Mr W.A.B. Evans, Esq., Children's Officer, 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.

Dear Mr Evans.
Re - William Slack (1644), Children's officer , Royal Alexandra and Albert school, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey.
I shall be pleased if Mr Emerson could call on William's father sometime to see what plans he has for the boy when he leaves school this summer. When my assistant Mr Hardy visited William recently the lad said that he wished to take up farm work and that his father has said that he should go to an agricultural college when he has gained 2 years practical experience.

William was rather doubtful as to whether it would be possible to take up farm work without leaving home, and he says that if it is necessary to leave home he would rather take up some other form of employment. William had no idea as to which agricultural college his father had in mind and I should like to know what plans he has for the boy.

You will be interested to know that staff at the royal Alexandra and Albert School Report very favourably on William and said that his behaviour has been much less difficult since Christmas. He is said to be much more cooperative and always cheerful.

Your sincerely,

Children's Officer

25 February 1959

From children's officer
To - Mr. W.A.B.Evans, 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,

Thank you for your letter of the 21st February 1959. I anticipate that William will spend his Easter holiday with his parents and no doubt the matter of his after-school career will be discussed between them. I will ask my assistant Mr Harding to visit the boy at school early next term to see just what he wishes to do and I will keep you informed.

I had hoped that when William left school he would be able to return to his parents but it rather looks as though they still reject him in some measure.
Your sincerely children officer

25 February 1959

Memorandum
From- child care officer, 26 Priory Ave, High Wickham.
To - Miss Duncan,
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Miss Duncan

I do not know what you will think of the letter from Leicester about William's after-school career, for after his parents were married we agreed to retain responsibility for the lad to enable him to remain at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, with no mention of the period after he reached school leaving age.

It does appear from Mr.Evan's letter that the parents are still rejecting him in some measure and I think the best thing to do will be to held the lad make his own career independently of his family.

I fear that if we force the lad upon them they would come to resent him and that there might be a great deal of trouble.

Child Care Officer.

2nd March 1959

From R. Duncan, Children's Officer,
To Mr Harding
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Thank you for your note about this lad. As you say, it seems quite clear that William's parents are very unwilling to accept full responsibility for him, and I think it would be best to go ahead on the same lines of arranging farm training for him if that is what he still wants, bat we shall have to make sure that is father realises that he will continue to be assessed towards the cost of maintenance until he is self supporting.
R. Duncan (signed)

Children's Officer.

4 March 1959

From Children's Officer,

To - W.J. Morley Esq., County Treasurer (for information)
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Royal Alexandra and Albert school Park reigate, Surrey

I have to inform you that the above named boy return school on the 10th of January 1959
Children's Officer

12 March 1959

From Children's Officer
To - E. Corner Esq., B.Com., A.C.I.S., Secretary, Royal Alexandra and Albert school Gatton Park reigate Surrey

Unless I hear from you to the contrary I will assume that William will be spending the whole of his Easter holiday from the 11th April - 2nd May with his parents in Leicester

Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.

17th March 1959

To - William Slack, Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Edinburgh House, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey
From - Child Care Officer.

Dear Bill
I was very pleased to receive your recent letter and I am glad to know that you will be able to go home for Easter. I am sure you are looking forward to this and I hope you have a good time. I am sorry to know that you have been in hospital with a bad throat I hope it has not sit your school work back too much, I am very pleased you have written to Stuart White and I hope all is well with him. I think I mentioned last time I saw you that I do not now see Stewart and if you are writing to him again shortly please give him my best wishes

I will call and see you early next turn and perhaps we can discuss a little further exactly what you wish to do when you leave school.

Please give my regards to Mr and Mrs Jeffries.

Yours sincerely,
Child Care officer

18 March 1959

To L.G. Briars Esq.,
From Child Care Officer.

Re - William slack (1.6.44) - Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey

As you know, our understanding with William's parents is that they will have him for holiday times and I have written to the headmaster of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School saying that unless I hear from him to the contrary I will assume William will be spending his Easter holiday from the 11th April to 2nd May with Mr and Mrs Jones in Leicester.

20 March 1959

To - W.J. Morley Esq., County treasurer ( for information)
From - Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury

Re - William Slack (b. 1.6.44) Royal Alexandra and Albert school, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey
I have to inform you that the above named boy will be spending the period of 11th April to 2nd May 1959 with his parents in Leicester.
Children's Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Held at Sycamore Farm, Hopton, Wirksworth on Thursday 21st May 1959
( by kind permission of T.L. Corbett Esquire

Extension of grazing season

Only a certain acreage of land lies convenient to the farm buildings and this lower land is farmed on an intensive system to provide early and late grazing for the dairy Herd and to provide the first of our silage

The steep banks and the higher land are mainly used for young cattle and sheep with some Summer grazing for the dairy herd

Continues - 2 pages of agricultural advice
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 April 1959

William is due to leave school at the end of the present term and has now given up all idea of remaining at school until 16 years of age in order to take the G.C.E. examination. He wishes wishes to take up farm work and an application has been made for his admission to the Wallingford Farm Training School

William is an intelligent boy although maladjusted. He has travelled through the school in the A stream and whilst his education performance is quite satisfactory it could be much better. The lads main difficulty is in making and maintaining relationships and he is very selective in making friends and is capable of having a violent dislike to both others of his own age and adults.

He gets on very well however with Mr and Mrs Jeffries, his house parents at school. They have said they hope to keep in touch with him and hope it will be possible for spend short holiday periods with them in future. Whilst they say they get on very well with him they acknowledge that he is a temperamental boy who has always to be handled with tact and discretion.

It seems clear however that they do not wish to accept full responsibility for the boy. It has been suggested to William that whilst he now gets on better with his parents than he did in the past they do not wish him to return home permanently and that he had better plan to make his independently of them.

29 May 1959

To - R.P.Menday Esq., Warden, Wallingford Farm Training School, Turners Court, Benson, Oxford
From Children's Officer.
Re -
William is in the care of this County Council and I shall be glad to know whether you can consider him for addmission to your school. I have set out some details of his history on the enclosed form and if there is any further you would like to know about him I shall be pleased to tell you. I could arrange for him to be brought to you or interview anytime you.

Yours sincerely
Children's officer

29 May 1959

G. Shirley Esq., 26 Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.
Re - William slack 1.6.44 - Royal Alexandra and Albert school, Reigate, Surrey

I will pass this boys file to you as soon as my write-ups have been typed. I visited him a few days ago at school and found that he still wishes to take up farm work when he leaves at the end of the present term. We discussed various methods by which he might enter Agriculture and eventually settled on the Wallingford Farm Training School and I am preparing an application which I will send off.

William is undoubtably good material although a boy who has in the past had considerable personal problems. He is of good intelligence - probably above average and has travelled through the Royal Alexandra and Albert School in the A stream. He has never had a proper home and has lived at different periods with his mother. or with private Foster parents.

His family relationships were very disordered and for a time he knew his father as his uncle. He got across his mother years ago and she was unable to control him. He was immensely jealous of his young sister, Susan, who lived with his mother.

In the the past William has been capable of extreme obstinacy and truculence and would not hesitate to use foul language at his mother and other people

William has stabilised considerably since being at the Royal Alexandra and Albert school and since his parents married about a year ago he has been of much better behaviour. He is able to spend holidays with them at their home in Leicester. In the past we have had extremely good co-operation from the Children's Officer there and I have little doubt you will have need to call on her help again in future. William has established a good relationship with his house parents at the Royal Alexandra and Albert school– Mr and Mrs Jeffries – and they have said they hope to keep in touch with the boy when he leaves and that he will be welcome to stay with them for short periods in the future if he is able to do so.

I would describe William now as an immature lad who is untrusting and frequently on the defensive in conversation. His main need is to learn to maintain stable relationships with those around him and I would expect if he can be admitted to the Wallingford Farm Training School, by the time he has been through the course he will have matured sufficiently do enable him to hold his own in the world.

When I last saw William we talked to good deal about his home and his parents and I suggested that although he now got on much better with them, and was able to spend holiday periods with them, it looked as though he had got to be prepared to make his life independently. William quicklysaw this and said after he had been through the course at Wallingford he would not be particularly bothered about taking up farming in Leicestershire and at the moment he is inclined do say he would like to go further afield – either to the west country or the north of England.

Childcare officer

I haven't yet obtained b\Bills .io score from R.A.&A. school

30th May 1959

From - Children's Officer (Ayles. copy)
To - E.A. 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)
Following Mr Harding 's recent visit to your school I am now making an application for William's admission to the Wallingford Farm Training School and I enclose a medical report form which I shall be pleased if you will kindly have completed and returned direct to the warden- R.P.Menday, Esq., Wallingford Farm Training School, Turners Court, Benson, Oxford.

Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer

1st June 1959

From– Children's Officer

To - Warden, Wallingford Farm training school, Turners Court, Benson Oxford

Re - William slack (1.6.44) and Stephen Godfrey white (7.5.44)

Further to Mr Shirley's conversation with Mr Badcock earlier today, I write to confirm that Mr Shirley will bring these boys for interview on Friday morning, at approximately 11 a.m.

Yours sincerely
Children's officer

1st June 1959

From– children's officer

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)

feather to Mr G Shirley's telephone conversation with you and your assistant this morning comma, I confirm that Mr Shirley will be meeting William at Reading South Station comma this Friday morning comma June 5th comma at 10:30 a.m. comma in order to take him to Wallingford for an interview.

Mr Shirley will arrange for William to return by train later in the afternoon.

Your sincerely,

Children's officer

Record of visits

5.2.59

Visited; to William; he greeted me well and appeared much more contented and settled and showed much less tension. He told me something off his holiday at home at Christmas and seems to have enjoyed himself. Said he got on much better with his father.

Volume wishes to take up farm work on leaving school but seemed uncertain as to whether he could do this from home. when I asked him whether he wish to take up farm work comma even is this meant leaving home comma Bill seems quite certain in his own mind that he would not.

His father has spoken of his going to a farm College 2 or 3 years experience Bill did not have many details about this. We agreed I should write to the Children's Officer for Leicester asking that Bill's father should be interviewed.

Mrs Jeffries and Mr Wyley both spoke well of William and said his behaviour was much better now. Mrs Jeffries says he has lost his surliness and is now always much more cheerful.
26. 5. 59

Saw William, Mr Jeffries, Mr Fleming-Thompson. Mr Corner: William received me well and chatted quite freely although he seemed as usual to be frequently the defensive. We talked mainly about his after-school career and the lad wishes to take up farm work. I explained that we had had a letter from the Leicester's Children's Officer making it pretty clear that the lad could not return home and William readily accepted this and it caused him no surprise.

After discussing various methods of entering farming we settled on the Wallingford Farm Training School and we agreed that I should make an application for his admission there.

I pointed to the fact that since William had been through the Royal Albert and Alexandra school in the A stream he should easily be able to do well at Wallingford.

I laser discuss this with Mr Fleming– Thompson and Mr Jeffries and they were both pleased about it. Mr Jeffries feels that although William has matured considerably he is still an unstable youth who will need a great deal of support.

Mr Jeffries will be pleased to keep in touch with the lad and says he will be very welcome to come and stay with him and his wife whenever he wishes.

I took the opportunity of thanking Mr Jeffries for all he had done for William and ask him to convey my thanks also to his wife.

Mr Fleming–Thompson spoke quite well of William but said he was an erratic worker. Fleming-Thompson teachers William mathematics stairs that the lad is in many ways unpredictable, later I talked to William about getting on with people and The LAD was very forthcoming and said he was a "cheeky" boy and if he did not like someone that was that, there was nothing to be done about it and he told them so.

I said I fully understood and I thought now that he was older he could begin to drop this attitude and find that he had no necessity to get up against people in the way he had done in the past.

I explained that I was leaving apartment the department in the middle of next month say that if William was admitted to the Wellington farm training school Mr Shirley would visit him there. I encouraged him to give Mr Shirley his confidence and said I felt sure they would get on alright together.
5 . 6. 59

Met William in reading by arrangement with the royal Alexandra and Albert I'm talking to Wallingford for interview. when I met him, William was somewhat surly and a bit resentful underneath.

The speedy arrangements for his admission to Wallingford has somewhat surprised him and also he implied that he did not much like Wallingford. He said he had been told that it was approved school and I hastened to disillusion him on this point. on the way to Wallingford William told me of his plans to go to New Zealand in due course, and by the time that we got to the school he was in a better frame of mind. He responded well under Mr Menday's questioning, and Mr.Menday, discovering an intelligent boy, told William of the possibilities of Wallingford, suggesting that he should do a year or a year and a half with them, add that is course at the school would include a good deal of class work and that he would also go out one day per week to the Henley Technical College. he said that other boys from the school being in New Zealand as a result of their experience and he was not in favour of them at 15 comma but waiting until they are 18 or 19.

He suggested that when William finished at Wallingford he should get a job on a farm for some tired and save some money and then go to a farming Institute in Berkshire to complete his training. He would then assist William to go to New Zealand if he still wanted to do so.

I raised the question of Wallingford being " an approved school" add Mr Menday talked to William about this and about the nature of the boys they have at Wallingford. He also told William of some of the disadvantages of Wallingford - the roughness of the work, the early hours, small pocket money, add the fact that boys were not allowed out of the school during the week.

Mr Menday then allowed me to show William around the school so that he could make up his mind whether he still wanted to go. When we went back to Mr Menday comma William had decided that he could not get to one input soon enough, and Mr Menday said he could be admitted on 31st August.
Since the above report, there has been quite a bit of correspondence with Mr Jones, William's father, and with Leicester. Mr Jones was against William going to Wallingford as he thought he needed some hard work in view of the bad behaviour at home at Easter. In view of the latter, Mr Jones is unwilling to have William at home again for anything but a short holiday. It was put to him that he could if he wished withdraw William from our care and place him on a farm immediately himself, but this soon caused Mr Jones to quiet down and accept our arrangements. In view of his letter, however, it was necessary to bring forward the date of William's admission to Wallingford to 10th August

9 June 1959

From - Children's Officer, W.B. Evans, Leicester
To - R.S. Jones Esq., 66 Tudor Road, Leicester

Dear Mr Jones,
Thank you for your recent letter about William. I am sorry to hear that he was difficult during the Easter holiday.

You will be pleased to know that he recently went for an interview at Wallingford farm train school and has been provisionally accepted for entry there on 31st August. The course lasts for about one and a half years and William should have ample opportunity for a thorough farm training, and, with his intelligence, will be able to go to the local Technical School and there is a hope that afterwards he will be able to attend at a farm Institute.

I think you will agree that William's difficulties may be largely due to the fact that he has not been brought up by his own parents and I can only think that by cutting him off from you further, his difficulties will be increased and it will be even harder for him to make a normal adjustment in life. I am hoping, therefore, you will be agreeable to having him for at least part of his holiday between leaving the Royal Alexandra and Albert School and commencing at Wallingford and I am asking the children's officer for Leicester to arrange for you to be visited to discuss the situation further.

Yours sincerely

9th June 1959

From - Children's Officer

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

Re - William Slack (1.6.44) parents: Mr and Mrs R.S. Jones, 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
Dear Mr Evans,

Further to previous correspondence, I know write to inform you that William recently went for an interview Wallingford farm training school and was accepted there for the farming course commencing on 31st August.

And he finishes at the Royal Alexandra and Albert school at the end of July, I was hoping that he would be able to spend the month of August with his parents. However, I recently had a letter from Mr Jones and which he states that William was very difficult during the Easter holiday and that he is unwilling to have him home for any prolonged period although he has no objection to him paying a short visit. I have today written to Mr Jones and I am enclosing a copy of my letter to him.

I feel it should have a very unfortunate effect on William if his parents should reject him completely, and would it be most obliged if Mr. Emerson would see Mr and Mrs Jones in the near future to try to impress upon them how vital it is that William should be able to have access to them for his holidays. they may take some consolation for the fact that while there will be a month for him to spend at home between his leaving Royal Alexandra and Albert school and going to Wallingford, the normal holidays from Wallingford a very short, being only about a week in the summer and the week at Christmas

I feel very strongly that the parents should take responsible for William during these periods.

Yours sincerely,

Children's Officer

15th June 1959

In reply please quote; 8/ BS
R.P. Menday Esq.
Warden, Wallingford farm training school. Turners Court. Benson, Oxfordshire

Dear Mr Menday

- -blank - - and William Slack.
thank you for your letter of the 10th of June. I noticed that you are able to accept blank and William for admission on 31st August. I will be in touch with you later on about the time of their arrival.

With many thanks for your assistance, your sincerely, children's officer

--------------------------------------------------------------------
15th June 1959

In reply please quote 8/BR
E. Corner Esq., B.Com., A.C.I.P.
Secretary, Royal Alexandra and Albert school call, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey

Dear Mr corner, (William Slack (1.6.44)

I believe Mr Harding discussed Williams future with you when he does it'd the school recently, and I know that Mr Shirley spoke to you by telephone when he arranged for William to be interviewed at Wallingford. I now right to say that William has been accepted for admission to Wallingford, commencing on the 31st August.

You are probably aware that William will take the farm training course there and he will have the opportunity to go to the local technical school as befits a boy of his intelligence.

I know William is very much hoping to be able to spend his summer holiday with his parents in Leicester and I also hope this will be possible. Unfortunately I received a very discouraging letter from Mr Jones recently saying that he did not intend to have William at home for any long periods in future, although he is willing to have them for short visits. I have written to Mr Jones saying I think this will have effect on William and have asked the children's officer for Leicestershire to arrange to visit Mr Jones and to try and turn the to have William for the whole of the summer holiday between her is leaving you at the end of July and his commencing at Wallingford on 31st August.

I will write to you again about Williams holiday as soon as I have heard from Leicestershire.

Your sincerely, children's officer
-----------------------------------------
16 June 1959

From - The Royal Alexandra and Albert school, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey
To - Ms R. Duncan, M.A., Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 18 Walton St, Aylesbury, Bucks.

Dear Misss Duncan,

William Slack (1.6.44)
thank you for your letter. I am pleased to know that William has been accepted for admission to Wallingford and I hope that he will make the most of this opportunity. Volume will be leaving our school on 1st August and I note that you will be letting me know his holiday arrangements.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Corner, Secretary.

20th June 1959

From- Children's Officer, Children's Department, City of Leicester, 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.
To - Miss E.R.S. Duncan M.A., children's officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear Miss Duncan,

Further to your letter of the 9th June, Mr Emerson has now interviewed by Mr and Mrs Jones on more than one occasion, but unfortunately Mr Jones remains adamant that he will not accept William for any long period of Holiday . The most he is willing to concede as that he will accept him for a week during August.

Mr Jones states that during the Easter vacation William was on numerous occasions quite violent towards his younger sister and that Mrs Jones was a 'nervous wreck' by the time William returned to school. As he himself is away from home great deal, he is not willing to have the boy when he cannot supervise him personally. Mr Jones is very bitter that this boy was moved from the home in which he originally placed him as he is quite sure that in that home he would have received the strict discipline which Mr Jones considers he requires.

It was explained to Mr Jones that when William commences his farm training, holidays will be of a short duration and he has expressed his willingness to accept William for these holidays.

I agree that Mr and Mrs Jones should take responsibility for William during the holiday period but in view of their refusal, it would appear that it will be necessary for some alternative arrangement to be made.

Yours sincerely,
(Signature) -

Children's Officer

22nd June 1959

From - The Secretary, Eric A. Corner B.Com., A.C.I.S., The Royal Alexandra and Albert school, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey

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

Re - William Slack

Dear Miss Duncan,

As the above named child will be leaving at the end of the present term, I have been instructed by my Committee to inform you that when he leaves school, he will return to you in a complete set of clothes, i.e., he will be fully clothed and he will have one set of pyjamas, a toothbrush and possibly other small accessories.

Unfortunately, we cannot supply any child with a change of clothing, and I am, therefore, writing to you now so that you will have adequate notice and will be able to arrange for the necessary clothing to be purchased prior to the child's return home.

The only rail concessions which are available to the school are in respect of return journeys. it will be necessary there for, for you, on this occasion, to obtain a single ticket yourself.

Can you please let me know whether we can assist in any way with regard to the child's future employment. In any event I would appreciate it if you would write to me after the child has settled down, and let me know what job he has taken up.

Yours sincerely
Signature - Corner
Secretary

25th June 1959

To - R.P. Menday Esq., M.C., Wallingford farm training school, Turners Court Benson, Oxon.
From - Children Officer.

Dear Mr Menday,

William Slack (1.6.44)

Since William came to you for interview early this month, I have received two very unsympathetic letters from his father in Leicester, saying that he is unwilling to have the lad home for more than a week of his summer holiday in view of the fact William was difficult while at home at Easter.

I think if you will record the boys interview with you, William was somewhat proud of the fact that his parents had got together again and it seems as though he would have a holiday home there and possibly a permanent home if he ever needed one.

You will realise, of course, that Williams behaviour difficulties a largely due to his broken home and the lack of interest by the parents in the past, and I am certain that this further rejection by his father will only increase his difficulties.

I wonder therefore, under the circumstances, whether it would be possible for you to advance the date of William's admission to Wallingford to the second week in August and then William and then come straight to you. I believe he would probably be less resentful than if other temporary arrangements had to be made for him.

Incidentally, the father has also said in his letter that he thinks William should go straight out to work on a farm and experience some really hard work, rather than take a training course. I have replied to him that if he wishes William can be discharged to his care and he can make the necessary arrangements for him, but if he remains with us he will go to Wallingford. I do not think there is the least possibility that Mr Jones will take enough interest or responsibility to make arrangements for the boy himself

I must also thank you for sending tickets for the play on Open Day, but you will see from my earlier letter that I asked for for tickets to Dr and Mrs Orme, Mr Shirley and I will be coming. you have only included three tickets in your recent letter and I shall be obliged if you will let me have a fourth.

Your sincerely,
Children's officer

25 June 1959

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

From - Children's Officer

Re - William Slack ( 1.6.44)

Dear Mr Evans,

Thank you for your letter of the 20th June.

I am grateful to Mr Emerson for seeing Mr and Mrs Jones and for endeavouring to persuade them to have William home for the whole of the summer holiday.

I have recently received a further letter from Mr Jones in which he maintains that William should go straight out to work on a farm and not go to Wallingford for training. He also says again that is unwilling to have William for more than a weeks holiday during August. I am enclosing a copy of my reply to Mr Jones and I shall continue with the plan for William to go to Wallingford unless Mr Jones makes other arrangements for him.

I am hoping to persuade the warden at Wallingford to accept the lad at an earlier date so that he can have a week or so at home and then go straight to the school. I will let you know what happens in due course.

Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer

25 June 1959

From - W.A.B. Evans Esq., for Information. In reply please quote 8/Br
To - R.S. Jones Esq., 6 Tudor Road, Leicester.

Dear Mr Jones
Thank you for your letter of the 22nd June.

It may well be that it would be best for William to go straight to work on a farm after leaving school at the end of this term. However, I know from experience with our boys that it is often wiser for them to have a transitional period in a place like Wallingford before going out into the world on their own. I also think that William will benefit from the training he is able to receive at Wallingford and from the local Technical School which I anticipate he will be able to attend.

You certainly need have no fear that he will not have to work hard at Wallingford, and he should get ample experience of the career of his choice.

If you still wish him to go straight out to work on a farm, I can, off course, discharge him to your care and leave you to make the necessary arrangements. If, however, you propose to leave hin our care I think you will have to accept our decision as to what is best for him.

In view of your unwillingness to have him for more than a week of this summer holiday, it is difficult to know what arrangements can be made for him for this period, but I am hoping if you leave him with us that Wallingford might be prepared to accept him a little earlier, in which case it would be best for him to come to you for the first week in August.

Your sincerely

Children's officer
-----------------------------------------------
26 June 1959

To - that children's officer, Buckingham Shire County Council, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - R.P. Menday, Warden, Wallingford Farm Training School, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
Christian Service Union (inc)

Re - William Slack, 1.6.44, Your ref 8/BR

Dear Miss Duncan,

Thank you for your letter of the 25th of June. In view of the difficulties with William, I will accept hm with the earlier intake on Monday 10th August.

I enclose the 4th invitation for Open Day and apologise for having omitted when sending the office.

Your sincerely,

R.P. Menday, Warden

30 June 1959

From - J. A Whittle, Youth Employment Bureau, 10 Comrwell Road, Redhill, Surrey - Education Committee, Surrey County Council.
To - ?
Dear Sir,

You will please note that School-Leaving and Employment Record documents for William Slack have been transferred to the Youth Employment Bureau in his home area.

The address is - The Primroses, Rickford's Hill, Aylesbury, bucks.

if you have any enquiries about his employment in the future, will you please attend at the above address. Your local youth employment officer will be glad to help you.

Yours sincerely.
J.A.Whittle, Youth Employment Officer.

2nd July 1959

To R.S. Jones Esq., 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.

From - Children's Officer.

Dear Mr Jones,
Thank you for your letter of 28th June.

I am glad to learn that you are willing to allow William to go to Wallingford after all. I have now heard from the Warden there that he will be able to admit William on the 10th August, and as you have kindly agreed to have him for the first week of August the difficulty has been overcome.

I am hoping that it will be possible to arrange for William to stay for a night or two in Aylesbury before he goes to Wallingford so that I can obtain the necessary equipment add clothing, but I will be writing to you again about this, in due course.

I am writing to the school to ask the headmaster to inform William of these arrangements.

Yours sincerely,
Children's officer.

2 July 1959

From - The Children's Officer,

To - E.A. Corner, Esq., B.Com., A.C.I.S., secretary, The Royal Alexandra and Albert school, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey

Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear Mr Corner,

Further to my letter of the 15th June, I write to say that I have not been able to persuade Mr Jones to have William for the whole of the summer holiday and consequently I asked the warden at Wallingford to accept him earlier and he has agreed to admit him on the 10th August.

I felt that way William would be very resentful if he knew that his parents were unwilling to have him for his holiday and that he would not be so resentful if he were admitted earlier to Wallingford than if temporary arrangements were made for him.

Mr Jones has, however, agreed to have William home for the first week in August and I would therefore be grateful if you would arrange for him to travel direct to Leicester on the 31st July. I am hoping it may be possible for William to stay in Aylesbury for a night or two before going to Wallingford so that I can obtain the necessary clothing add equipment for him, but I will be communicating with you all with Mr Jones about this later in the month.

Your sincerely
Children's officer

28th July 1959

To - William Slack.

From - G. Shirley, Child Care Officer. 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury.

Dear William,

I believe you break up on Friday, July 31st, no doubt you will be travelling straight to Leicester for your holiday with your parents. You have probably heard that the date of your admission to Wallingford has been advanced to August 10th, add I would be glad if you would travel from Leicester that morning by the 11:13 a.m. train, arriving at Aylesbury at 12:42.

I will meet you at Aylesbury station, we will have lunch together at Aylesbury, and I will take you to Wallingford during the afternoon.

I trust these arrangements will be agreeable to you comma and I look forward to seeing you on the 10th.
Yours sincerely,

G. Shirley,

Child Care Officer.
-------------------------------------------------------
28th July 1959

To - R.P. Menday, Esq., M.C., Warden, Wallingford Farm Training School, Turner's Court, Benson, Oxfordshire
From - Children's Officer.
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear Mr Menday
weather to your letter of the 26th June, William will be spending the first week of his holiday in Leicester, as you know, and I have already written to his father, asking him to put the ladder on a train arriving in Aylesbury at midday on August 10th.

Mr Shirley well then bring him to you in the early afternoon on that day.

Your sincerely

Children's officer

28th July 1959

To - R.S. Jones Esq., 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
From - Children's Officer

Dear Mr Jones,
Further to my letter of 2nd July, I now find that Wallingford no longer require boys to be equipped before being admitted to the school. All clothing is supplied upon arrival. I will, therefore, not be necessary for William to come to Aylesbury before he is admitted to Wallingford on August 10th

I shall be glad if you will arrange for him to travel from Leicester to Aylesbury by the 11:15 a.m. train arriving in hours free at 12:42. He will be met at Aylesbury station and one of my officers will take him to Wallingford during the afternoon on the 10th August.

My assistant, who knows William, has written to him informing him of these arrangements , and I trust they are agreeable to you.

Your sincerely
Children's Officer

31st July 1959

Report for term ended

Form - 4A
Age - 15/1
Average Age of Form - 15/3

Subject

English - C – steady progress being made

History - C – keen and works well but written work needs care

Geography - C – careless writing spoil steady work

Mathematics - C- – can work well when he wants to do so

Science - C- – is attitude and application have fallen away

Domestic science

Art - C+ – has tried and worked well, no somewhat modelled at the moment

Music

Woodwork - C – tries hard. Fair progress

Commercial

General remarks– quite a good effort in most subjects

Conduct – fair,

3 detentions

W. Jeffries

W. Fleming-Thomson

11th August 1959

To - W.J. Morlay Esq., County Treasurer (for Information)

Slack, William - 1.6.44

You will wish to know that the above named left the royal Alexandra and Albert school, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey, on 31st July 1959

From 31st July 1959 to 10th August 1959 he was on holiday with his mother at 66 Road, Leicester.

on 10th August in 1959 he was admitted to the Wallingford farm training school, Turner's Court, Benson, Oxford

Children's officer
---------------------------------------------------
22nd September 1959

Record of visits - Slack, William. Ref. NO. G.S.

Visited Wallingford. Mr Royston and Mr Menday told me that William had the makings of a good farmer if he set his mind to it but that he had recently been brought to the warden for flatly refusing to work.

Mr Menday did tell me that this was only the first of several if incidents, and that William can give no explanation as to why he refused, except that he had" felt like it" and he told Mr Menday that he had done this in previous places he had been.

I saw William who was surprisingly happy and said he liked Wallingford very much, was finding enough to do, finding the work interesting and was satisfied with the recreation.

He is getting 4/6d. per week pocket money. He is looking forward to starting at the technical school in the near future. He is talking of taking city and guilds.

The only complaint he has was that he did not get much chance to read, as no books were available and he could not find a quiet corner even if he had them. I suggested to him that he will probably get some books when he gets to the technical school.

With regard to Christmas holidays, he said he does not want to spend it with his parents in Leicester as "they give me the cold shoulder." he says he will write to some friends who he knew at the Royal Alexandra and Albert and see if they could have him for Christmas. I left him a stamp and ask him to write to me.

3rd October 1959 – top call from Mr Royston deputy Warden of Wallingford regarding a cheque for £1 William has received from someone by the name of Bray (? Cray?) in Leicester.
5 October 1959 - letter to Mr Menday saying no mention of remember the name of Bray on the file. Letter to Leicester asking if they know of anyone by that name.

5 October 1959

To - attn, Mr. Royston, R.P. Menday, Esq., Warden, Wallingford Training School, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.

From - Children's Officer,

Re - William Slack - b. 1.6.44

Dear Mr Menday,

Further to Mr Roystons recent telephone conversation with Mr Shirley, my records on William have now been checked very carefully and I can find no mention of William ever having been in contact with Mr Wray of Leicester.

I can therefore throw no light at the moment on the origin of the check he has received. I will, however, write to the children's officer for Leicester do CF any information can be obtained, but I imagine it is unlikely.

It is possible that the father could throw some light on the question and I am wondering whether you would want me to get in touch with him on this matter in view of the bad relationship existed and still exists between William and Mr Jones

Yours sincerely,

Children's Officer

5 October 1959

To - W.A.B. Evans Esq., children's officer, children's department. 20 Millstone Lane, Leicester.

From - Children's Officer.

Re - William Slack - b. 1.6.44

Dear Mr Evans,

With reference to previous correspondence, you will be interested to know that William has now been admitted to the Wallingford training school seems to be settling in fairly well there .

he has not yet decided about his Christmas holiday. He seems to be against coming to Leicester as he is realising that last that is parents have no time for him. it is, however, possible that he will change his mind before then in which case I shall probably be writing to ask you to get in touch with this father.
However, I am writing at the moment because we recently had a telephone call from the deputy Warden at Wallingford to say William had received a check for £1 from someone by the name of Wray of Leicester.

Mr Royston was wondering if we knew anything about Mr Wray's cheque. Mr Harding who formerly dealt with William can find no information on our file about Mr Wray. I am wondering therefore whether your officer could let me have any information he possesses without paying a special visit to Mr Jones

Yours sincerely,

Children's Officer
----------------------------------------------------------
7 October 1959

To - The Children's Officer (Miss Duncan), Buckinghamshire County Council, 18 Walton St, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - R.P. Menday, Warden, Wallingford Training School.

Re - William Slack

Dear Miss Duncan,
Thank you very much for your letter of 5th October and for the enquiries you have made on our behalf.
I have now question Bill who states that before coming to Wallingford, can you gave a No.3 meccano set to Mr Wray's son and that this £1 represents a payment-cum- present for the set and there is, therefore, no need for any further enquiry, Mr Wray is a friend of the Slack family.

Yours sincerely,

R.P. Menday, Warden
------------------------------------------------------------------
7 October 1959

To - Miss E.R.S. Duncan M.A., children's officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.

From - Evans, Children's Officer.

Re William Slack - (1.6.44)

thank you for your letter of 5th October, 1959.

I was very pleased to hear that William had settled down at the Wallingford training school.

let's The Emerson has no recollection of a person named Wray in connection with William, but if you wish us to approach Mr Jones, I'm the matter, be pleased to do so.

Yours Sincerely,

Evans,
Children's Officer

To - William slack

From - 18 Walton St, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Re William Slack (Wallingford)

Dear William.
when I last saw you at Wallingford we provisionally discussed arrangements for your Christmas holiday, you said you would prefer not to go home to Leicester if at all possible.

You also said, I believe, that you would be writing to some of your friends at the Royal Alexandra and Albert, to see if you could go and stay with them at Christmas.

not having heard from you, I would very much like to know whether you have had any success. The reason that I am writing at this point is that I have already heard from Mr Monday, asking about Christmas holiday arrangements, and I shall have to let her know before long where you are going.

Will appreciate that if you have not been successful amongst your friends, it will be difficult for me to offer anything else except perhaps a children's home, add even that maybe just built if there is a shortage of Vacancies.

Perhaps you will be kind enough to write to me as soon as possible and let me have your views. if you really feel you would like to discuss these situation with me I shall, of course, be prepared to come over by arrangement with Mr Menday.

I hope you are still enjoying life and work, and finding the course interesting, and that you have managed get some useful books now that you are at the technical school.

With all good wishes

Yours sincerely
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 October 1959

(Report)
Name - Slack, William
Address - Royal Alexandra and Albert school

d/b 1.6.44

Date of placement–21.6.57

date of last visit - 26.5.59

William is due to leave school at the end of the present term and has now given up all idea of remaining at school until 16 years of age in order to take the G.C.E. examination.

Wishes to take up farm work and an application has been made for his admission to the Wallingford Farm Training School.

William is an intelligent boy although maladjusted. William has travelled through the school in the A stream and whilst his education performance is quite satisfactory it could be much better. The lad's main difficulty is in making and maintaining relationships and he is very selective in making friends and is capable of having a violent dislike both of others of his own age and adults.

He gets on very well however with Mr and Mrs Jeffries, his house parents at school. They have said they hope to keep in touch with him and hope it will be possible for him to spend short holiday periods with them in future. Whilst they say they get on very well with him they acknowledge that he is a temperamental boy who has always to be handled with tact and discretion

William's parents married some months ago and he has since then spent holidays at home with them in Leicester. The question of William returning home permanently has been discussed with them but they point to the fact that he could not do farm work as they live in the city of Leicester. It seems clear however that they do not wish to accept responsibility for the boy. It has been suggested to William that whilst he now gets on better with his parents than he did in the past they do not wish him to return home permanently and that he had better plan to make his life independently of them.
Visited R.D. 21.6.59

Reported to Committee - S.W. 9.10.59
---------------------------------------------------------
4 November 1959

To- R.S. Jones, Esq.,
66 Tudor Road, Leicester.

Dear Mr Jones
With reference to previous correspondence, I write to inform you that the dates of William's Christmas holiday from 23rd to 30th December

has any or previous letters you agreed to have bell home for his short holidays from Wallingford, I am asking if these dates will be convenient for you, and I will write to the warden at Wallingford asking him to make arrangements Billy to travel direct from Wallingford to Leicester.

your sincerely

Children's Officer (probably Miss Duncan)

4 November 1959

To - William Slack (Wallingford)
From - G. Shirley, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury.

Dear Bill,
thank you for your recent letter. I note that you would like to go home for Christmas after all, turn this Duncan will be writing to your father and mother informing them off the dates of your holiday doubt he will be writing to them yourself.

I was very pleased to learn that you feel you are getting along well. It is very good to know that you have become secretary of the young Farmers' Club. I feel sure the fact that you have held this position stand you and good stead later on.

Yours sincerely,
G. Shirley

19 November 1959

To - Mr Jones. 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
From - Children's Officer

Dear Mr Jones,
I am sorry not to have replied before to your letter of 6th November. I note that you will be willing to have William for his holiday from 23rd to 30th December and I have asked Mr Menday to make the necessary travelling arrangements,

I think it is a little early to say as yet whether William is benefiting from his stay at Wallingford especially as I have not yet had a formal report on him. I might say, however, my assistant, Mr Shirley, has seen William once or twice during the term at Wallingford; on the whole he seems to be content and the school are satisfied with him. I will write to you again when I have more detailed information from the Warden.

Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer. (probably Miss Duncan)
-----------------------------------------------
19 November 1959

To - Miss Duncan, The Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council Children's Department, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, bucks.
CC - Mr R.S.Jones, 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
From - R. P. Menday, Warden, Wallingford Farm Training School, Turner's Court, Benson, Oxon.

Dear Miss Duncan,

William Slack

As requested by Mr Shirley I will arrange for William to go to his father for Christmas. He will travel from Marylebone and will be escorted to London with other boys going north. The train time will be:

Wednesday 23rd December - Leicester Central arrive 12:16 p.m.

Wednesday 30th December - Leicester Central depart 11:13 a.m.

Yours sincerely

R.P. Menday

19 November 1959

To - Mr Menday. Wallingford Farm Training School, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
From - Children's Officer.

Dear Mr Menday.
William Slack, Ernest Farr.
With reference to Mr Shirley's recent telephone conversation with Mr Badcock, I confirm that William is to spend his Christmas holiday with his parents, Mr and Mrs R.S. Jones, 66 Tudor Road, Leicester. I should be glad if you would make the necessary travelling arrangements for him.

I am awaiting confirmation but I think it will be possible for Ernest to spend his holiday with Donald who is living c/o Mrs Goodchild, Bennett Farm, Radnage, Bucks. I will write to you again about Ernest when I have had an official word from this is Goodchild.

Yours sincerely
Children's Officer
-------------------------------------------------------
1 December 1959
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.
I see from my records that on 19th February 1958 I sent you a consent form signed by Williams mother vaccination against poliomylitis.
I will be most obliged if you will inform me weather William did in fact, have all the necessary injections.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.
--------------------------------------------------------
2 December 1959
To - Miss Duncan, Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 18 Walton St, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - Mr Corner, Secretary, The Royal Alexandra & Albert School.
Dear Miss Duncan,

Re William Slack.

Thank you for your letter. volume received 3 vaccinations against poliomyelitis on the following dates.
1) - 27.2.56
2) - 20.3.59
3) - 23.3.59
I do hope that William has settled down and is doing well at the training school.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Corner

11 December 1959

Report - Turner's Court, Benson, Oxon
Progress Report - William Slack.
Assessment - GOOD

Training Department Report
General Report - Interested and keen. Better at theory than practical. - W. Wilson, Training Officer.
Leisure Interests, Social& General.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme - Doing fitness, first series.
Other Activities - A regular club member who could do very much better. Inclined to be uncouth at times and not very keen on activities. - W.E.Smewin, Club Leader.

Housemasters Report.
Health - Good
Energy - Good
Conduct - Good
General Report - There are times when he is familiar and disrepectful and considering his intelligence he could do very much better. Much of this is a form of showing off. - H.A.Dixon, Housemaster.
Warden's Remarks.
This boy likes to associate with much less intelligent boys to satisfy his own ego. He is very jealous of his young sister and needs constant reassurance about his future. - R.P. Menday.

6 January 1960

Visited Wallingford, saw Mr Menday who called Bill in and discussed his progress and future. Mr Menday said in front of Bill that he had never had to call them into the office before and he was not a boy who was sent to him for being in trouble and from the dealings he had had with Bill, he had always been polite and well behaved. however, he, Mr Menday, was always anxious that boys should know, quite frankly, what he thought of them, and he was taking this opportunity to tell Bill now.

He said he was concerned as he had heard reports various quarters that bill had a course streak and his nature which was causing Mr Menday some concern. he told fill that this was one of the things he would have to get over that he was going to the top, and he thought there was no reason whyBill should not go to the top. He told him that he was intelligent and that he is doing very well and his work, particlarly at the Technical school. At the school, Bill's class had had the preliminary examination for entrance to the City and Guilds takes place in March, and Bill came top of the class. Mr midday feels that bill should be able to gain admission to an Agricultural College when he is 18, these agricultural institutions are mainly filled with the Sons of farmers it's not easy for someone who has had no farming family background to get into them and to be on the same level as the other boys unless they can acquire background themselves.

Consequently, Bill will have to get rid of the coarse streak in his nature if he is to be able to mix on proper terms with the other boys. The earliest can get into an agricultural Institute as when he is 18, that is, roughly the 1st July 1962.

They will expect him to do at least 5 terms at Wallingford, which will bring him up to Easter 1961, add he should do one year and an approved farm before going into the institute.

For this purpose, Wallingford counts as an approved Farm, and if he did not have a full year between leaving Wallingford and going to the Institute, the year could be counted being filled by part of this time at Wallingford.

The fees at the agricultural Institute are about £250 for the year and I said I would have to make enquiries well in advance, see if there was any possibility of our Education Department assisting if it looks as though Bill is going to make the grade. Mr Menday set there are plenty of opportunities for a boy with good initiative you can see a through, bail should be able to become a skilled farm manager in due course.

I told Mr Menday that as we were talking with the gloves off I would like to raise at this point Bill's relationship with his home, and this we discussed somewhat frankly. Bill said his Christmas at home had been satisfactory but that he was somewhat bored. He did not think he wanted to go there for all the summer holiday, but I told him if he was not going he must let us know well in advance or make some alternative arrangements and yourself.

Mr Menday thought that he should at least keep in touch with his home, that was prepared to consider other holiday arrangements which Bill might make.

I then had a private talk with Bill on his own, and it proved to be quite a lengthy and interesting one. Bill is certainly an intelligent boy, a pleasant conversationalist, but he has a considerable inferiority complex and it made be that this personality difficulty which will prevent him from seeing things through. I talked to him gently about the necessity of getting rid of the coarse streak Mr Menday had mentioned, books for the technical school, add appears kneading Plenty and would like to buy some and you course, and also his holiday arrangements for the future.

Spell said he would get touch with his friend from the royal Alexandra and Albert school with whom he was considering going in the summer, and if possible stay for a weekend with him at his home in Harlow. to help Bill.... (?)

3 February 1960

Six-Monthly Report on Child in Special School, Residential Employment, etc.

Name - William Slack. d/b 1.6.44, Sex. M.
Address - The Wallingford Farm Training School.
Date of Placement - 10.8.59. Date of Last Visit - 3.2.60
William is doing extremely well in his work at Wallingford. He has great ability from the farming point of view on both the theoretical and practical side. He has been top of his class at the Technical School and it is hoped very much that he will pass the preliminary City and Guilds which he took in March. At work he is said to be "studious and ambitious."

Mr Menday, the Warden, thanks that Williams intelligence put well taken to the top and there is every hope that he will be able to go to an agricultural Institute personality difficulties do not stand in the way.
He will not be able to go to the Institute until September 1961, for he goes he will have to spend a year on an approved farm.

Wallingford is recognised as such for the purpose, but arrangements will be made, it is hoped, for him to go to such a farm other than Wallingford for a year, from September. When I was last at Wallingford a particular farm was under discussion for him.

However, William is still not rid of the difficulties which have included his progress up to this point. His parents, who only recently married, are living in Leicester, do not take very kindly to him. There is rejection on the part of the father and he can see no good in Bill. this has led to William being a "born grumbler," somewhat uncouth, and with a considerable chip on his shoulder at times.
The staff at Wallingford are doing their best to help them over these troubles
Signed - G. Shirley

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2

Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.