Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

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

1960

1960

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 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)

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 why Bill should not go to the top. He told him that he was intelligent and that he is doing very well and his work, particularly 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.

Bill 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 March 1960

Training Officer's Report.
Name - William Slack.
Ability - Good.
Special Aptitude - Theoretical Work.
General Report - A born grumbler, adopts a supercillious attitude to other boys and to any member of staff who shows any indecision, consequently he is unpopular.
He is however, very interested in his training and doing well, he needs to develop much more patience and tolerance. As he grows up he should become a pleasant boy.

Signed - (WIlson?)

23 May 1960

To - Mr Shirely
From - William Slack

Dear Mr Shirley,
(difficult to read handwriting) I write about my weekend 3-5 June has it been (prepared?) or is it being carried through if it is is the school - -- I have finished by Alig-- and Gullale?

Yours sincerely,
WIlliam.

2 June 1960

To Mr William Slack. Paton House, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon
From (F.G. Malcolm?)

Dear Bill,
I only received your letter of 23rd May yesterday June 1st, so I am afraid it is somewhat late to do anything now about your proposed weekend of 3rd to 5th June. There was obviously a misunderstanding between us because although I remember discussing it with you, I was under the impression that you yourself we're going to get into touch with the Royal Alexandra and Albert School and make the arrangements through Mr Badcock.

I wonder if it will be possible for you to go down for a weekend a little later on, and if so, do write to me in good time and then I will have the necessary discussion beforehand with Mr Mendey

I am hoping to come over sometime this month ( on the 30th, if not sooner) and shall certainly want to discuss your summer holiday arrangements so I will be glad if you would give thought to this before I come.

It was a pity you did not post the letter immediately after writing as I may then have been able to do something about this weekend. I am sorry not to be more helpful

Yours sincerely,
G?

Name - Slack, William. Born - 1.6.44
Date Out - 13.7.59 - To - RA - Date Returned - 3.8.59
Date Out - 15.1.60 - To - BR - Date Returned - - -

9 July 1960

From - R.P. Menday, Warden, Wallingford Farm Training School. Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
To - Mr Malcolm, Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire Childrens Dept, 18 Walton St, Aylesbury. Bucks.

Dear Mr Malcolm,
Re - William Slack.
I wish to inform you that the above name for boy/boys I'll be taking part in a Duke of edinburgh's award scheme expedition will be absent from school on the night/nights Monday 11th July 1960.

Yours sincerely
R.P. Menday, Warden

11 July 1960

To Mr Malcolm, Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire Children's Dept, 18 Walton St, Aylebury, Bucks.
From - C.S. Royston, Deputy Warden, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
Re - William Slack.

Dear Mr Malcolm.
You will be pleased to hear that Williams leg injury has responded so well to treatment that he is now back at normal work. The incision revealed no trace of sepsis

Yours sincerely,
C.S. Royston, Deputy Warden.

18 July 1960

To -
From Children's Officer (F.G. Malcolm.)
Re William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear -
I am writing to ask whether by any chance you know of a farmer in your area who would be willing to give William a working holiday from the 10th to 31st August, as the arrangements I had in mind for him have broken down.
William has been in care for a number of years, and although he has parents in Leicester, they have rejected him and he, in turn, does not wish to have contact with them now. at the moment he is at the Wallingford Training School where he is taking a farming course, there is considerable hope that he will do well as he has an IQ of 130 and he may be able to go to an agricultural Institute in due course.

William is a tall, and in many ways, an attractive boy. His only difficulty is that he can be a little bitter at times and this leads to him being somewhat uncouth.

He had hoped to spend his summer holiday with the grandparents of a friend in Lincolnshire, but unfortunately this is not now possible. I have made a number of enquiries in this district but so far without success, and I am wondering whether there is any chance of your being able to help.

Your sincerely
Children's Officer

21 July 1960

To - Miss Armstong, Children's Officer, County Hall, Ipswich.
From - F.G. Malcolm, Children's Officer.

Re William Slack (1.6.1944)

Dear Miss Armstrong,
I was very grateful to you indeed for your letter of the 20th instant and for your suggestion that William may be able to spend his holiday with Mrs Wheatley and Mr Kemp. I have written to Mrs Wheatley today and a copy of my letter to her is enclosed. I will let you know whether in fact William does go to them.

Once again, many thanks for your help.

Yours sincerely
Children's officer

21 July 1960
To - Mrs Wheatley, Lower Farm, Ringshall, Near Stowmarket, Suffolk
Miss Armstrong, F.G. Malcolm.
From - Children's Officer.

CONFIDENTIAL

Re - William Slack (Born 1.6.44)

Dear Madam,
I am writing to you about this boy at the suggestions of Miss Armstrong, children's officer for East Suffolk. I wonder whether there is any possibility of your having William with you for the period 10th to 31st August, if so, whether Mr Kemp would be able to employ him on his Farm.

I know from this Armstrong that you have had considerable experience of caring for deprived children, so I know that I can tell you in confidence turn up Williams background which will help you to judge whether he is suitable.

William has been in the care of my committee for a number of years of the early separation of his parents, do all day have now come again he does not fit in at home and does not wish to return there now, even for his holidays. according to intelligence tests, William is a very intelligent boy, although has attainment level is not up to the standard of his intelligence pause office various moves and his unsettled life generally.

At the moment he is at the Wallingford farm training school, at Benson, Oxford Shire, and has just completed a full year there. is taking the farming course and it is hoped that he may be able to go to an agricultural Institute in due course.
Bill is a tall, strong lad, usually very pleasant, although he can be a little bit earlier and resentful app times, which is partly due to his age and partly due to his unfortunate experience in life.

The training school is having a holiday for the period mentioned above, but, as I said, Bill does not wish to return home for his holiday, add has expressed a desire to go somewhere he could work on a farm and earn some money.

Set three saving Armstrong's letter this morning I have not had an opportunity to discuss with Bill the possibility of going to Suffolk, but I imagine he would accept any arrangements we would make for him.

if you would kindly give this matter your consideration and discuss it with Mr Kemp, my assistant, Mr Shirley, who is responsible for Bill, will telephone you earlier next week.
Yours truly

Children's Officer

21 July 1960

To - Mr Malcolm Esq., Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 19 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - Phillys M. Ride, M.A., Children's Officer, 20 Lower Clarence Road, Norwich, Norfolk.

Re William Slack (1.6.44)

Mr Malcolm
Thank you for your letter of 18th July. I am sorry that you are having difficulty in finding a suitable holiday for the above named lad but Norfolk is predominately agricultural, there are very few Farmers willing to have a lad living in and I regret that I know of no suitable farmer at the moment whom I could approach.

Yours sincerely
Phyllis Ride

25 July 1960
To - F.G.Malcolm Esq., Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - Kenneth Brill, Children's Officer, 31 New North Road, Exeter.
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear Mr Malcolm,
Thank you for your letter of 18th July. I think it is unlikely that we can help you over a working farm holiday for this boy of yours. However, I will tell all our area offices of your need and let you know if they have any ideas.

I wonder whether you have considered an organised holiday with a youth group, it seems that this might be better for him than going to live temporarily amongst strangers who he might not get on with. There are to my knowledge organised fruit picking camps and the like, details off which can be obtained from the Youth Employment Officer a Youth Organisation.

Yours sincerely,
Signed - Kenneth Brill
Children's Officer.

25 July 1960

To - Mr F.G. Malcolm, Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - Miss Amicia Carroll, County Children's Officer, The Castle, Winchester.
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)

Dear Mr Malcolm
With reference to your letter of 18th July, I have notified the Childcare Officers of your need for a working holiday for William, and I will let you know if there are any suggestions , but I am afraid I am not very hopeful. I am sure you will understand that if we do hear of any working holiday opportunities we normally have candidates ourselves, although I do agree we do not often have one with an IQ as high as William.

Yours sincerely,
(signed) Amicia Carroll

20 July 1960

From - Children's Officer, County of Dorset, Children's Department.
Re - William Slack.

The Children's Officer has received with thanks your letter of the 18/7.60 - which is receiving attention.
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2 August 1960

To - Bill Slack
From - 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.

Dear Bill,
Thank you for your letter which I received today. Many congratulations on passing your City and Guilds examination.

I knew some time ago that you were unable to go to John Storey's for the holiday after all and I have been very much aware of your needs. You can rest assured that I have not been wasting time and I have been making numerous enquiries to try and find you a farm where you could work for 2 or 3 weeks during your holiday. In the middle of last week I thought I had a certainty in Suffolk but at the last moment this failed. However I have several other irons in the fire and very much hope I shall be able to get in touch with you or Col. Royston within the next day or two to let you have some definite proposals.

I am sorry it has been a last-minute rush but it has not been at all easy finding a residential holiday job I can assure you.

With all good wishes.
Yours sincerely

3 August 1960

Records of Visits, etc.

Having failed to obtain bail a holiday job I visited Mr Wade, manager to Dr Walker, Wood Farm, Worminghall, who had replied to an advertisement for a permanent boy in the Farmer and Stockbreeder. Mr Wade said he was willing to give Bill a holiday job but would like a boy permanently if possible. Said I could not commit myself at this moment as I had not discussed Bill with Mr Menday. Mr Wade said he is qualified in farm management and informed me that Dr Walker is giving up the farm and that a new owner is coming in September and that he, Mr Wade, is staying on. He is a married man with three children and a pleasant home. He seems very friendly and understanding. The farm is a large dairy one.

In the cottage next door to Mr Walker is a very young couple in their early 20s and Bill would have to stay with them. the young couple got the cottage on the understanding that they would put up anyone who came to work there. The man works on the farm with Mr Wade. They have a very sparsely furnished home as they are just sitting up bed. Told Mr Wade I thought Bill could come and I would let him have a definite answer and a day or two.

5 August 1960

Visited Wallingford Mr Menday the position. He did not take too kindly at first of the possibility of Bill's leaving permanently now. He had not reckoned on this and unless he filled Bill's vacancy by Tuesday he would have a vacancy on his hands. He must therefore know before Tuesday whether Bill is going to leave permanently or not. At first Mr Menday was inclined to say let him go, Bill's work report as very good and he has passed one subject in his city and Guilds but Bill is still very uncouth and resentful. Mr Menday said he would find it difficult for him to mix with farmer's sons at an Agricultural College unless he can get more polish. I told Mr Menday of the accommodation problem and that I would like to discuss the whole situation with Bill but I was apprehensive of his leaving Wallingford and going straight to a farm which he had hardly time to see. I arranged with Mr Menday that I would take Bill over Saturday anyway.

Had a long talk with Bill about the position. He wants to leave Wallingford. I told him I was apprehensive of his starting straight away with Mr Wade. Told him about the accommodation problem and he said he did not mind having just a bed. I said the farm was very isolated and that it will not be near a technical college. Bill would rather like to get another subject in his City and Guilds at Henley.

We had a further chat with Mr Wade and I told him of Bill's desire to get a further subject and his City and Guilds. Mr Menday thought in that case that it would probably be better for him to stay on but he did not want Bill to do so in a resentful frame of mind. If Bill does stay on just go to Mr Wade for a holiday Mr Menday will try and get him a permanent job somewhere in the Henley district between now and Christmas. If not Bill will stay on until Easter. I took Bill over to see Mr Wade and looked around the Farm.

Bill spoke politely to Mr Wade at first but then maintained great lengths of silence, and then later in the afternoon was somewhat sharp and surly in his replies. Extremely difficult to know how Bill is going to fit in but this holiday period should be a good trial for him. He will be receiving a standard agricultural wage of 84/- week. And £2 will be deducted for his board and there should be some chance of overtime.

Bill would really like to spend a few days at the sea before he returns to Wallingford. It will depend on how much he can save. Set I would look into this question in a week or so.

Took Bill back to Wallingford. Mr Menday will arrange about an insurance card.

11.8.60
Saw Bill at Dr Walker's farm at Worminghall. He seems to have settled in quite happily and there were no complaints from him or from Mr Wade. Bill said he needed a pair of sandals and these had not been sent on from Wallingford as he expected. Said I would approach Mr Malcolm to see if we could get him a pair quickly.

15,8,60 (hand written notes, illegible)
Saw Bill at Farm when I took John Lake for interview. Mr Wade quite satisfied with him. Bill will finish with Mr Wade at midday on 27th August 1960. He knows Stuart - - (illegible)

17 August 1960 - Rang Mr Barstow. He will try to fix Bill up with - - or somewhere else in Wycombe(?)

30th August 1960 - saw Bill at Mrs (Blandslands?) at (Terais?) - no problems - he is having an enjoyable few days holiday.

19 October 1960 -
Visited Wallingford. Mr Menday will advertise for a farm for Bill in the local paper the Farmers' Weekly. Farmers Weekly replies will come to me and the local ones to them. they will investigate the nearby ones and I will those further away. Mr Menday thinks Bill can definitely go to a farming Institute now. He is more adaptable and will suit his behaviour to the company he is in. He must be fixed up on an approved farm if possible. Mr Menday will apply to the Berkshire Institute at Hurley and I will make investigations at this end about a major County award through the Education Department. The sum needed it will be about £250. After the application is entered Bill will not hear anymore until next May when he is called for interview.
Did not see Bill as he was at the Henley Technical School that he is taking a course in husbandry for the City and Guilds .

2nd August 1960

To - C.S. Royston Esq., Deputy Warden, Wallingford Training School, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
From - Child Care Officer.
Re William Slack

Dear Mr Royston,
I have had a letter from Bill enquiring about his holidays and I enclose a copy of my reply from which you will see that I am hoping to find him a residential farm job and that I will be getting in touch with you as soon as I have something definite.

Your sincerely,
Child Care Officer

5th of August 1960

Progress Report - Tennis Court, Benson
Re - William Slack, Date of Birth 1.6.44
Months in school - Third Term
Assessment - good

Training Department Report
Bill has done a good term's work. He is interested and ambitious and able to work without supervision if working alone. Tends to find difficulty in working with a group. - W. Wilson, training officer

Leisure Interests - Social and General Conduct
Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme - passed First Aid, Expedition and Pursuit 1st series
Games & other activities
A member who has improved somewhat but could still do much better in the club.
W.E.Smewin, Club Leader

Housemaster's Report
Health - Good
Energy - normal
Conduct - good
General report - although there has been improvement in Bell, he is still unreliable in respect of behaviour and has a tendency to fool. clean and tidy but there is room for general improvement in his behaviour, attitude and manners
H.A. Dixon, Housemaster.

Warden's Remarks
Satisfactory work and some improvement. Obtain city and guilds pass crop husbandry
R.P. Menday, Warden
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11 August 1960
To - Mr F.G.Malcolm Esq., Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - Mrs K.E.Jamison, Children's Officer, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset.
Re William Slack (1.6.44)
Dear Mr Malcolm,
With regard to your letter of 18th July in which you asked me to help you find a working holiday for the above named boy, three of my child care officers who work and areas in which such work would most likely be found have sounded several farmers without success . It appears that such jobs are usually taken by local people who are engaged year-after-year.
I am sorry I have not been able to be of assistance to you and hope you may have succeeded elsewhere.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 August 1960
To - Miss P. Armstrong, Children's Officer, East Suffolk County Council, P.O. Box 36, County Hall, Ipswich.
From - F.G. Malcolm, Children's Officer.
Re William Slack (1.6.44)
Further to my letter of 21st July, I am sorry I have not written before to ask you to thank Mr Sutton Smith for his offer of help for Bill last week, and the fact that my assistant, Mr Shirley, did not succeed in getting hold of Mr Sutton Smith during the afternoon to tell him that we had something in mind for Bill and that this has proved satisfactory. The afternoon Mr Sutton Smith rang Mr Shirley was out making the arrangements and when he returned to the office and telephoned your department was closed, but he did leave a message for Mr Sutton Smith and I should be glad if you would renew my thanks for his offer.
Your sincerely,
Children's Officer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 September 1960
Six monthly report on child and special school, residential employment eccetera
Name - William Slack
Address - Wallingford farm training school
Date of placement 10 August 1959
Date of last visit - 15th August 1960
Bill has done fairly well at Wallingford. He is a very intelligent boy with an IQ of 130 and can work well. He would have a good future were it not for his personality problems which make an rather disgruntled and embittered. He recently obtain a pass and one agricultural subject in the City and Guilds for which he had been studying at Henley Technical College over the previous year. He is due to leave Wallingford at Christmas when it is hoped he will go to an approved farm for a year and if this is satisfactory he might be able to go to an agricultural Institute later on.
Bill has recently cut himself off from his parents in Leicester who had rejected him anyway. During the summer vacation he did 3 weeks holiday work on a farm at Worminghall and proved satisfactory there. he also had a few days holiday in a foster home near High Wycombe and this was also satisfactory.
Noted - 10.10.60
Reported to Committee - 6.12.6
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14 October 1960
To - R.P. Menday Esq., Warden, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
From F.G.Malcolm, Children's Officer.
Dear Mr Menday, thank you for your letter of 13th October.
Mr Shirley will be pleased to come over and talk to you about our four boys on Wednesday 19th of October at 11 a.m. as you suggest.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer
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30 November 1960
To - The Farmer's Weekly, 161 Fleet Street, London, W.C.4
From - R.P.Menday, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon,
Dear sirs,
Will you please insert the following advertisement in the Farmers' Weekly for three consecutive weeks:-
Young man aged 1½, trained in general farm work seeks employment . available immediately, area Bucks, Berks, Oxon preferred.
Yours sincerely
R.P. Menday, Warden
---------------------------------------------------------------
2 December 1960
To - Mr Malcolm,
The Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks. For the attention of G.Shirley, Child Care Officer.
From - R.P. Menday, Warden, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
Re - William Slack.
Dear Mr Malcolm, herewith the information as promised. Bill will be able to attend the North Oxfordshire Technical College, Banbury which runs the following courses:-
Agriculture (City and Guilds Stage I) Farm Machinery
Agriculture (City and Guilds Stage II) Agriccultural Mechanics
I have also found out that he will be able to get help towards his travelling expenses the form the Education Department.
There is a train service from Metchington(?) to Banbury.
I hope that this will help you with regards to the job.
your sincerely, R.P. Menday, Warden

Vocational Training

Ability - A+
Conduct - A+
Keenness - A+
Practical Work - A+
Theoretical Work
Remarks - W.Wilson, Instructor
Further Education ( at Turners Court)\
Remedial Crafts 3Rs Attend to Technical School - Yes.
Chief Instructors Report
Has been interviewed for Berkshire Agricultural Institute but it is thought that the Principal will not accept him until October 1962 as he was thought at interview still to be very young. W.Wilson, Chief Instructor
Employment Prospects in due course - A+
Notes -
1 - No Theory classes in the gardening or handyman courses
2 - Not all boys in the trades attend Technical Schoo.
3 - OInly a very limited number on the agricultural course as suitable for technical School.

Character Training

Club Leaders Report
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme - Games / Sports
Undertaking scheme - yes
Outdoor active - yes
Series 1 passed - no
Series 2 passed -
Indoor active - yes
Hobbies - active - yes
Social / Dancing - no
Membership Assessment - A
remarks
W.E.Smewin, Club Leader

Social Responsibility Training

Housemaster's Report
Leadership Qualities - A
Relationship - Staff - A, Boys - A
Conduct A+
Progress A+
Personal Hygiene - A+
Care of Clothes A+

Remarks - Childish at times and aggressive.
H. Dixon. Housemaster. Paton House.

Matron's Report.
General health A+
Special note (blank)
N. Wilkinson. S.R.N.

Confidential. Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.

Terminal Report.
Slack, William. b. 1.6.44
Course being studied. Agriculture.
Term. Autumn, Terms completed 4.
Overall assessment A+
Wardens Remarks. Still needs to mature. Not quite so uncouth.

Ronald P. Menday, Warden.
A+1 Excellent A+ good A average A- Poor A-1 not suitable
* In evaluating this assessment, Average is considered the norm for the school of generally disturbed, maladjusted, backward boys. The assessment is not related to boys of normal intelligence. Where the overall assessment is A-1 it is to be presumed that the boy is not further training at the school

6 December 1960
To - G. Shirley, Childcare Officer, Buckinghamshire Children's Department, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - R.P.Menday Turner's Court Benson Oxon
Dear Mr Shirley,
Re - William slack,

Further to your telephone conversation with my deputy, I enclosed here with in original two letters which we have received offering employment.
Yours sincerely.
R.P.Menday, Warden

note - travel by car agreed 9th December 1960

Record of visits
Since my last report I have had several conversations and telephone conversations with Mr Royston, Deputy Warden of Wallingford. Mr Royston advertised in an effort to get a farm for Bill in the vicinity of Henley but without success and consequently extended the area in consultation with Bill and got a reply from Mr W.E. Haines of Bletchingdon, Oxon.
3 December 1960 - rang Mr Haines and arranged to take Bill for interview the next Tuesday. Rang Mr Royston and arranged to this.

6 December 1960 - Collected Bill from Wallingford and took him to Bletchingdon. We were 20 minutes late. Mr Haines had gone out and did not come back for an hour. He was an elderly man with one artificial hand, not hard and unpleasant as he appeared on the telephone but not up-to-date in his knowledge of agricultural courses etc. After we had talked for some time and were about to go out to the cow shed Bill signified to me that he did not think this would be suitable. In any case Mr Haines had no lodgings available. Set he would data snow if he could find any.

7th December 1960 - Telephoned Mr Royston at Wallingford. He has received two further offers which he thought might be suitable for Bill. Both of them in Derbyshire. Said I would speak to Mr Malcolm about this and Mr Royston will speak to Bill.

8th December 1960. Telephoned Mr Royston. Bill does not mind working in Derbyshire. Told him Mr Malcolm agreed we could go ahead . Mr Royston said a few days earlier he had taken Bill for interview at the Hurley Agricultural Institute. Bill tended to give the wrong answers to questions e.g. when asked about his future said he would like a farm of his own but had not really formulated ideas as to how he could do it.

The principal had intimated to Bill that they were considering raising the age of entry to agricultural Institute and had told him this so as to give them a lever with which to encourage him to defer his application. Said I would ring Mr Royston back after I had spoken to Mr Corbett one of the farmers in Derby.

Telephoned Mr Corbett (Wirksworth 218) add Mrs Corbett answered the phone. they are anxious to have a boy but want him to be a nice one as he will have to live with them. The full address of the farm is Sycamore Farm, Hopton, Wirksworth, Derby. Arranged to ring Mr Corbett next morning.

Telephoned Mr Bonham, Education, and spoke to him about the problem of a grant for Bill should he go to the Agricultural Institute next summer. Mr Bonham said there are several application forms which are being printed at the present time. Applications can be made up to March.
9th December 1960. Telephoned Mr Corbett early in the morning. Discussed Bill with him and arranged to take Bill for interview the following Tuesday. Telephoned Mr Royston and arranged to collect Bill early in the morning.
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15th December 1960
To - Mr Malcolm,
From - Mr G. Shirley, childcare officer
Re - William Slack - b. 1.6.44. Wallingford farm training school

Further to our recent conversation, this is to ask whether you would be prepared to approach Dr Orme with the somewhat unusual request that we should spend £5 on this boy for a Christmas present.

You may recall that Bill is a highly intelligent boy who has had a difficult time because of rejecting parents. His parents were unmarried at the time of his birth and although they did marry years later have never accepted him. Bill has not seen them for over a year and I know that this term there has been further acrimony between them and they have sent all bills things on to him. Bill is hoping to go to an agricultural Institute later on and as Dr Orme will know I recently took him for interview at a particularly good farm in Derbyshire where he is to start in a week's time. I do not yet know, of course, how this placement will work out. There may be difficulties because although Bill can be a charming and pleasant boy, he can also be somewhat bitter.
It is unlikely that he will get Christmas presents from any other source now that he is moving and because he is so intelligent and independent I do not think he gets as much sympathy as some of our children do. He recently told me "I am not having any presents and and not giving any." he does not, of course, have any of the things which a boy of this standard would have in a good home. I noticed that he borrowed someone's watch when I took him for another interview recently and he is also a keen reader particularly of books on agricultural subjects.

If doctor Orme is prepared to grant the request I would propose buying Bill a watch (admittedly it will be a cheap one) and giving him about 30/- in book tokens. I think this would be encouraging to him if it should be granted.
G. Shirley,
Child Care Officer

Handwritten note - I agree to the watch up to £5. Dr Orme, 22.12.60

29th December 1960
To 1. Collector, 2. County Treasurer ( for information)
From - children's officer
Re - Slack, William b. 1.6.44
The above named boy left Wallingford Farm Training School on 20th December 1960 and his present address is care of Mrs Corbett, ' Sycamore Farm,' Wirksworth, Derbyshire
it may be necessary to supplement at a later date.
Children's officer

13th December 1960
Took Bill from Wallingford to Wirksworth for interview with Mr Corbett. we were late because of fog but were extremely well received by Mrs Corbett and I had a very good impression of them both. A nice house, educated but unpretentious people with, I should say, excellent knowledge of practical farming and a good knowledge of and an appreciation of the training facilities, etc. Agreed with Mr Corbett that Bill should come up next Tuesday, 20th December, to start.

14th December 1960
Telephoned Mr Royston. We will arrange for Bill to travel up by train, will bring his equipment up-to-date and he thinks I ought to visit Bill during the first fortnite. Said I would endeavour to do so the first week in January.

22nd December 1960
Received authorisation from the Chairman to purchase watch for Bill for Christmas. Agreed with Children's Officer that it would be impossible to get this to him for the New Year.

30th December 1960
Received Mr Malcolm's letter to say that Mr Corbett had been in touch with him by telephone to say that Bill had been very difficult, and asking that I should visit this week if possible. Telephoned to Mr Corbett at Wirksworth and arranged to visit him on Monday.

2nd January 1961
Visited Mr Corbett and Bill at Derby, had a long conversation with Mr and Mrs Corbett alone first of all. They said Bill had been extremely aggressive and difficult all the time he had been with them in spite of the good treatment they had given him. Bill had been very aggressive over his work, complaining that he was underpaid and worked for too long hours. Mr Corbett said that he had only paid him the rate agreed with me and this was taken into account that he would be able to go to Derby Institute on day release later on. Mrs Corbett said that Bill was full of complaints about the food, although they had excellent food and almost as much of it as he wanted. Mr Corbett especially aggrieved over the fact that Bill had hit one of the cows with a broom in Mr corbett's presence, and when reprimanded had been extremely aggressive and cheeky. Mr Corbett said that he would increase Bill's wages as soon as he became economically worth it. They gave me the opportunity to see Bill on his own, Bill had only one complaint, that was that he was underpaid and overworked. He said that Mr Corbett was always getting on to him and grumbling. I reasoned with him to try and get him to see that this was a good opportunity for him and he would be foolish to lose it and Bill did eventually promise that he would give at a further trial. Mr and Mrs Corbett came in again and it was agreed that we should give it a fortnight's further trial and I would then go up and see them all again.

10th January -1961
Telephoned and spoke to Mrs Corbett, Mr Corbett not available until the morning.

11th January 1961
Telephoned Mr Corbett and asked if I could come up next week, he requested that I should go on Friday, as he said he would have to get rid of Bill then. The situation was quite intolerable, he was getting rid not only of Bill, but also of the other young man whom he had employed for some months and was taking on a man whom he thought would be much more beneficial to him. He wanted them both out before the man moved in. He said that Bill's attitudes towards him as being quite intolerable. It was obvious from what Mr Corbett said that it was no use trying to persuade him to keep Bill any longer. I therefore said I would endeavour to make other arrangements for Bill for Friday and would let him know what these were as soon as possible. Later telephoned Mr Menday, Wallingford, and told him of the position. He said he would take Bill in for a few nights if I was really stuck and put him in the sick room, he did not want to do so if he could help it but he did not want to see Bill go down the drain.