Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

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

1961

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. Jones - 1935
Emma Jones (ne Edna)

5 January 1961

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

Dear bill,
As promised I enclose an order for you to obtain raincoat from Bradleys in Winksworth. I have spoken to the Children's Officer about the possibility of a suit and he thinks you ought to wait a little while in view of the fact that you are still growing. It may be possible to get you one in the spring so perhaps you will remind me about this in March. I must apologise for the fact that I have not so far been able to obtain your watch. This is the first time I have been in Aylesbury since I came back from Derbyshire on Tuesday and unfortunately it is early closing day but I will do my best to obtain it tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you again in a fortnight's time. In the meantime my best wishes to yourself and to Mr and Mrs Corbett.
Your sincerely

5 January 1961

To - The Children's Officer Buckingham County Council, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - R.P.Menday, Warden, Wallingford, Turner's Court, Benson, Oxon.
Re - William Slack.

Dear Mr Malcolm,
I enclosed the counterfoil issued by South Oxfordshire Technical College indicating that Bill passed the City and Guilds examination for Crop Husbandry Stage 1

Although Bill received a certificate in this respect from the technical college, I think this counterfoil should be held by you for record purposes, as it would be required in the event of Bill wishing to take further examinations.

You's sincerely,
RP Menday, Warden

10th January 1961

To - principal, Berkshire Institute of Agriculture, Burchetts Green, Nr Maidenhead, Berks.
From - Children's Officer
Re - William Slack
I enclose hair with application form and respect of William slack which I trust you will find in order.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer

10th January 1961

To - Mr Shirley, children's department, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - John Peirce, 26 Leckford Road, Oxford.

Dear Mr Shirley,
I believe that Bill Slack has been under your care for some time and has just finished his course at Turner's Court.

While he has been there I have had some contact with him through going out to take Sunday services and attend Club activities at Turner's Court. I should now like to write to him and I wonder if you would be so kind as to forward the enclosed letter as I do not know his address. I would also like to commend him to the vicar of the parish in which he is living. If you feel this can be of value would you also be so good as to forward the other enclosed letter to the vicar. I trust this will cause you no inconvenience.

Yours faithfully,
John Peirce

10th January -1961

Record of Visits
Telephoned and spoke to Mrs Corbett, Mr Corbett not available until the morning.

11th January 1961
Record of Visit.
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.

11th January 1961

To - F.G.Macolm, Esq., B.Sc (Econ.), Children's Officer, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From E.David, Principal, Berkshire Education Committee, Berkshire Institute of Agriculture, Hall Place, Burchetts Green, nr Maidenhead, Berkshire
Re - William Slack.

I have your letter of 10th instant enclosing application form and respect of William slack who wishes to pursue the 1961/62 pause in General Agriculture. This application will be given every consideration. As the applicant is a Bucks student I assume he will be called for interviewed by the Bucks Education Authority.

Yours faithfully,
E.David, Principal

Term 1960/61

Oxfordshire Education Committee - Henley Technical Institute, 11 Reading Road, Henley on Thames.
Name - William slack. Course - Young Farm Workers 2nd Yr. Address - Turners Court, Benson. Employer - Turner's Court

Subject Grading Attendance Remarks
Feeding - Satisfactory
Foods- Satisfactory
Animal Breeding- Satisfactory
Calcns. & English - C
Stockmanship- Satisfactory
General Comment - Satisfactory. This class has met for seven occasions only. Countersigned - D.K.Pitt, Principal

Examination number 295

Examination Centre - South Oxfordshire Ttechnical
Subject and Grade - Crop Husbandry Stage 1
Date - March 22, 1960
Name in full - William Slack
Address - Patton House, Turners Court, Benson, Oxfordshire
Result - P - (Pass)

12th January 1961
Record of Visits
Telephoned Mrs Muir who said she was willing to accommodate Bill for a few days and perhaps a week until another job could be found for him. Telephoned Mr Corbett and informed him of this, we discussed travelling

arrangements and I agreed to find out another train and ring back later on. Tthe early evening I telephoned Mrs Corbett and gave her the train to Aylesbury from Derby was agreed that Bill should travel arriving at Aylesbury at 7:15 the next day.

13th January 1961
Reord of Visit.
Met Bill at station at Aylesbury. He immediately apologised for having lost his job. He said he was not going back to Wallingford as he would never be able to live it down. Gave him the watch which pleased him quite a bit, then took him along to Mrs Muir's. He was very tired and said all he wanted to do was to sleep for the time being. Agreed that he should come in and see me on Monday morning to discuss the future.

16 January -1961
Record of Visit.
Bill came in as arranged, and I spent almost the whole morning trying to get him fixed up with the job. Ring Mr Reid, of Neill's Farm, Cublington, who had a vacancy but had offered it to two other boys, from whom he had not heard. He agreed to see us on Thursday morning. Telephone to farms, one of whom was known to Mrs Muir, and one suggested by her. Telephone Mr Lakey, back to no avail. Telephoned Youth Employment Bureau and spoke with Mr Sharpe at some length and got various suggestions, two of which were in Beirten, and the question of accommodation would be difficult. Telephoned Youth Employment Officer at High Wycombe. Bell very disgruntled and awkward as the morning wore on, made objections to the various

suggestions I made about the farms. I reprimanded severely at one point for his rude off-hand manner, and told him that this would get him nowhere but made very little impression on him. A telephoned Mr Royston at Wallingford and told him we were in rather his spot, but he had no suggestions at that point. He asked me to tell Bill that he had just seen Mr Garside, the farmer with whom Bill worked during his last few months at Wallingford, and that Mr Garside had said that bill had been extremely aggressive and cheeky during the first but after he had been reprimanded and spoke to severely and put in his place he had become a very good worker indeed.

I told this to Bill and it seemed to have some effect on him and went off fairly happy. I agreed I would be in touch with him the next day as soon as I possibly could. Later Mrs Muir rang, and said that she had been talking to Bill during the lunch hour he was still very mixed up about his parentage. he had told her that I had that Mr Jones was his real father, but he himself found this difficult to believe as Mr Jones did not want him. Bill thought that it was a stigma and that he was different because he did not know who his father was. I told Mrs Muir would have a further talk with Bill about this at the earliest possible opportunity.

17th January 1961
Record of Visit
Mrs Muir rang in the morning and asked me to speak to her, but I was not able to do this until later on. She suggested that I rang up Mr Standring of Tetchworth farm, Kingswood, telephone number: Grendan Underwood 260. Later phoned Mr Standring and spoke to him at length about Bill. He sounded extremely nice and understanding and said he was willing to see Bill to talk things over and if we wished to give him a trial for a month. He would be able to accommodate Bill. Arranged to take bill to see him Thursday morning, at about 10:30 a.m.. Later called and saw Bill at Mrs Muir's, Bill in much better humour, said he had obtained a copy of Freeman's "Elements of Agriculture," cost 25/-d. during the day, and he had another book in mind which he hope the Committee would buy him. he seemed to be getting on extremely well with Mrs Muir. Ask him come in and see me at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, to visit the two farms we had arranged.

18th January 1961

Record of Visit
Telephoned Mr B Costin, Herrings Green Farm, Wilstead, Beds., telephone: Cardington 241. This name and address had been telephoned through to me urgently yesterday by Mr Royston, Deputy Warden, Wallingford. Spoke to Mr Costin for a little while and arranged detect Bill over to see him Friday afternoon

18th January 1961
To - Mrs Scutt
From - G. Shirley
Re - William Slack

Please note that Bill left Mr Corbett , Hopton, Derby, on 13 January 1961 and was placed temporarily with Mrs Muir, 45 Churchill(?) Ave, Aylesbury. I will let you have details of supplementation when this has been decided upon.
G. Shirley,
----------------------------------------------------------
19th January 1961
To - R.P. Menday, Esq., M.C., Warden, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
From - Children's Officer.
Re William Slack - born 1.6.44

I am extremely grateful to you for your offer last week to take Bill back should this have proved necessary. As you will now know, I was able to accommodate him for the time being with one of our temporary Foster mother's in Aylesbury, so I did not have to trouble you.

I am also very much obliged to Mr Royston for letting us have the vacancy with Mr D. Costen in Bedfordshire so promptly. I have also been able to find two possible residential vacancies just north of Aylesbury, and I am arranging for Bill to see these farms and Mr Costen today and Friday. as far as possible, I hope to let Bill take his pick of the three, so he will have no cause to grumble this time! I will let you know what transpires.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Officer

19th January 1961
To T.E. Corbett Esq., Sycamore Farm, Hopton, near Wirksworth, Derby.
From - Child Care Officer
Re - William Slack,

Dear Dr Corbett
Bill arrived back safely last Friday at 7:13 as arranged. He was somewhat apologetic for having lost his job, so it is just possible that the experience may be beneficial to him in the long run. He is at present living with a well-known foster mother of ours in Aylesbury. I have had a lengthy conversation with him, I hope he will be in a better frame of mind for his next job.

I have now got some more work in view for him which he may be able to commence next week. I am extremely grateful to you and to Mrs Corbett for giving him a trial and for being so patient with him. I am only sorry you were put to so much trouble to know purpose.

The Youth Employment Bureau seem to have sent me his insurance card and error. I would be most grateful if you would stamp it for the period he was with you and let me have it back at your convenience. Again many thanks and all good wishes,

Yours sincerely, Child Care Officer

24th January 1961

To - Mr Malcolm
From - G. Shirley
Re- William Slack

With reference to our conversation and to my memo 43 eg 18.01.61 to Mrs S(evell?) and Mr(Bream?) would you please arrange for Mrs Muir to be paid at the rate of £3 per week for the period 13 January 61 to 29th January 61. It is anticipated that on the latter date he will take up employment with - Mr Standring, Tetchworth Farm, Kingswood. he will lodge in one of the farm cottages and should again be self-supporting.

G. Shirley, 24.Jan. 61

24th January 1961

To - Mrs R. Swannell, 38 Aspley Lane, Bobbers Mill, Nottingham.
From - Children's Officer.
Re- William Slack.

Dear madam,
The Warden of the Wallingford Farm Training School has passed me your letter of 15th January, regarding your grandson William Slack. Until the end of this week he is living: c/o Mrs Muir. 45 Churchill Avenue, Aylesbury. At the end of the week he is taking up employment with Mr A Standring, Tetchworth Farm, Kingswood, Nr. Aylesbury, Bucks. He will be lodging in the village, but I do not have the exact address at hand. no doubt Mr Standring's address we'll find him. Meanwhile, Bill has been told off your kind enquiry and he has said he will write to you as soon as he has settled in. With many thanks for your interest.

Yours faithfully,

Children's Officer

25th January 1961

To - John Peirce, Esq., 26 Leckford Road, Oxford.
From - Child Care Officer.

Dear Mr Peirce,
Thank you for your letter of 10th January 1961, about Bill Slack. I recently saw Bill and gave him your letter, which I am sorry to say he promptly threw into the waste paper basket. He also said he does not wish to be contacted by the vicar of the parish where he will be living, and I am afraid he would not co-operate at the present time even if your letter werel passed on to the Vicar. I am therefore returning your other letter to you.

I greatly appreciate your kindly interest in Bill and I am only sorry that he is not more receptive to religious influences at the present time. He has been somewhat difficult since he left Wallingford and I feel that to force this further matter on him would only aggravate the situation still further. However, should there seem to be a suitable opening, I will let you know, and no doubt you would get in touch with the vicar direct.

Yours sincerely,

Child Care Officer

26th January 1961

To - 1. Collector. 2/ County Treasurer ( for information)
Re - Slack, William b. 1.6.44
Further to my memorandum of 29th December, I have to inform you that this lad left his employment with Mr & Mrs Corbett, " Sycamore Farm" Derbyshire on 13th January 61. He is now in lodgings c/o Mr Standring, Tetchworth Farm, Kingswood. He is self-supporting.

Children's Officer, 18 Walton St, Aylesbury

26th January 1961

Record of Visit.
Telephoned Mr Standring, Bill can start with him on Monday. Said I would take the bulk of Bill's gear to Mrs Buling Friday afternoon and bell will come up on Sunday.

27th January 1961
Record of Visit
Collected Bill from Mrs Muirs in the afternoon, went to Bakers and obtained a second-hand bicycle for him. This will be available Saturday evening and he will cycle on Sunday. Took Bill and his cases to Mrs Buling. Bill seemed to get on very well with her. Briefly saw Mr Standing who called in for a short while.

30th January 1961
Telephoned Mrs Muir, Bill got away safely but was rather disgruntled at having to leave her.

6th of February 1961
Record of Visit
In the afternoon called at Tetchworth Farm, Kingswood, saw Mrs Standring first of all, she said that Bill had settled in very well and she thought her husband was very satisfied with him. Mr Standring confirmed this, Bill has been no trouble whatsoever, and has already been able to do some jobs on his own. Thinks Bill is satisfied and is getting more money than he expected. Bill on his own told him I had brought the books from Wallingford and and that I would drop these in at his lodgings.

Bill was much more contented than I had seen him, says he likes Mr Standring on the whole is very satisfied. Last week he got the standard wage £4 9s 0d plus eleven and something overtime. Bill is having next week off and he proposes to visit Mrs Muir for this. He likes his digs apart from the fact that he finds the two young children a bit frustrating. For the first time since I've known him bill was in no way aggressive or difficult. Call at Bill's digs and left the box of books, got stuck in the mud and Mrs Buling rescued, in confusion I had very little time to discuss Bill with her but briefly She seemed reasonably.

Telephoned Mrs Muir, she said it would be quite alright for Bill to come and stay with her at the weekend, he had in fact rung her on Sunday to say he planned to do so

Record of Visits

3 March 1961

Bill came to see me in the office having come up to Aylesbury to spend the weekend with Mrs Muir. He was in rather and off-hand mood but I endeavoured to get into fill in the form of application to the Education A\authority for a grant for his entry to Hurley Agricultural Institute, but he could not apply himself at all well, messed up the form and I eventually said he had better fill in another form at his greater leisure. Bell very tired and grumbling about his employment with Mr Standring, said he could not stand the three weeks non-stop without a break. Furthermore seems to have got imaginary grievances against Mr Standring now. Bill very doubtful whether he wants to continue farming. Took Bill and bought him a suit at Fosters, the last of his initial outfit, he also bought a pair of trousers for himself out of his savings.

Record of Visits
6 March 1961

Saw Mrs Muir she said that Bill had been very disgruntled over the weekend and obviously very dissatisfied with its new job. He asked if he could come and live with her but she had discouraged him although she would not mind having really she did not think he would be very much trouble. (?) However, thought that as Bill was so disgruntled it might be best for him to come out into the world and see what else there is in it besides farming.

Record of Visits
9th March -1961

Visited bill at Kingswood by arrangement with Mrs Standring. Saw him on his own at first and we had nearly an hour's conversation in the car. Bill had rung Mrs Muir a day or two previously to ask if I could send him a career's book. I told him that I did not possess such a book and that no book was in existence giving a whole list of careers in all branches of industry and trade. He would have to have some idea of what other trade he wanted to follow before I could obtain any information about it. He is very anxious to leave Mr Standring as soon as possible but I said I thought he ought to take Mr Standring's employment situation into account before walking out on him. To this Bill reluctantly agreed. Promised I would obtain a book on civil aviation which seemed to be one of the things which he was most interested in and would see him again. I then walked a long way across the fields to see Mr Standring where he was working and had a lengthy conversation with him about Bill. He said Bill was in some ways no different from any other boys of his age, he did not know exactly what he wanted to do, he wanted to walk before he could run. On the whole had worked quite well and was reasonably willing but there was a lot Bill had to learn if he was to stay in farming. For instance, he had to learn to treat cows with much greater sympathy. He was inclined to treat them very roughly. the awkward element in Bill came out at times such things as when bill was riding on the back of the trailer driven by a tractor and they were going to a gate, Bill would not get out to open the gate until he was actually asked to do so. Mr Standring said that this could become extremely irritating. He appreciates that Bill has to work harder on his farm then he would on many but he is doubtful whether it would be any good transferring Bill to another farm at this point and I agreed with him. I also said I did not think there would be any point in Bill going ahead with his application to Hurley at the stage in view of his great uncertainty. Said I would not endeavour to persuade Bill to stay on in farming, I would go along with him for a bit and explore other possibilities. I hope Bill will stay long enough for Mr Standring to get over the initial difficulties that was unlikely as Bill would need to be with him for eight or nine months before he really got into the swing of things. Said I thought we would have to get together three of us one evening to thrash out the situation.

Mr Standring said this would have to be after 8:00 p.m. as he is very busy at the moment.

29th March 1961
(hand written - difficult)

Telephoned Mr Standring. Bill much better generally. Saw Bill at his digs - - letter grumble but on the whole seems to be settling. Asked when can I leave. I said he would soon be old enough to take these decisions for himself. Seems to be happy with Mrs Bulling who says he has a chip on the shoulder puts up with him. Bill enjoys - - -.

4th May 1961
Telephoned Mr Standring. Bill doing well except that he sometimes loses his temper with a cow. Said I had heard from Mrs Muir Bill was happy now, and willing to stay if he could be sure of Mr Standrings promise that he would earn £17 a week when he is older. Mr Standring says he hopes Bill will be able to be in charge of the cows in the Autumn, he is quite capable of doing the job and then he should get £11-12 per week.

10th of May 1961
Visited bill. Was fairly cheerful during a half hours conversation. Pointed out that if he could earn £11 to £12 he ought to be able to earn £5 extra per week and in four years he would have the back of enough money to get his own farm

20th March 1961

To - Bill Slack
From - G. Shirley, 18 Walton Street, Aylesbury.

Dear Bill,
Sorry I have been unable to see you again since our last chat so thought I would drop a line to let you know I have not forgotten your problems. I hope I shall be able to see you next week, but this week will be a little difficult as I shall be in Slough most of tomorrow, have school escorts Wednesday and Thursday and Friday I am bringing Ivor from Wallingford to begin his employment.

However , you will like to know that I had a lengthy chat on Friday afternoon with Mr Sharp the Aylesbury Youth Employment Officer. He has suggested that if you want a pamphlet on engineering, you should get one called "Engineering Work for Boys" which is number 17 in the Choice of Careers Series. This can be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office, Kingsway, London, W.C.2., price 1/9d.

Mr Sharp will be pleased to see us together or you on your own, if you wish to talk over your employment problems with him. He is usually there late on Friday afternoon himself, and every third Saturday morning. To see him at any other time would have to be by appointment. Mr Sharp also says that employment in Aylesbury is a little difficult just at the moment as the Easter leavers have been getting fixed up.

Also, there is an exhibition in Aylesbury Market Square during Commonwealth Technical Week 29th May to 4th June when many local firms have stands illustrating their work and have people available to answer questions. I do not know whether you feel you can hold out in your present job till then. If so, you would obviously get a better idea of the local openings. You will be able to tell me your views on all these when I see you next week.

Yours sincerely. G. Shirley

28 March 1961

Six-Monthly Report on Boarded-out Child

Name - Bill Slack. c/o Mr Standring.

William is in good health but is very problematical at the moment. He is a very intelligent boy and left the Wallingford Training School where he was doing the farm course, just before Christmas to take up employment on a farm in Derbyshire. William lost that job because of his difficult behaviour and his rudeness to his employer. He then had a fortnight and in Aylesbury and then I obtained employment for him with Mr Standring. Bill chose this himself out of three I took him to see.

Has every chance to make his way in farming and would probably gain admission to the Hurley Agricultural Institute if he cared to do so. However, although he is not being so difficult with Mr Standring as he was on the farm in Derbyshire he is somewhat disgruntled at the moment and is considering giving up farming altogether.

Bill's difficult to behaviour stems from long term rejection by his father and mother who live in Leicester, and he is now craving to live with Mrs Muir with whom he spent a fortnight in between jobs and January.

He is living in lodgings on the farm and is reasonably happy there and very well cared but he does not like living in lodgings with small children. He is independent and is at last beginning to put some money aside. I doubt whether he well stay with Mr Standring long enough to get really settled into farming. The lodgings where Bill lives are of a good standard and Bill shares a bedroom with another boy who worked on the farm. Bill's attitude to the people who are in charge of him is the great problem of his life. This has improved a little over the last few years but is going to cause a great deal of concern in the future. At the time of writing this report it is quite impossible to say what the immediate future will be.

26 April 1961
To E. David, Esq., Principal, Berkshire Institute of Agriculture, Hall place. Burchett's Green, Nr Maidenhead, Berks.
From - Children's Officer
Re - William Slack.

Dear sir,
With reference to your letter of the 11th January 1961, I now write to say that having given this matter careful consideration, I am of the opinion that William is still too uncertain in his mind as to whether he really wants to make a career in agriculture, and too immature generally to pursue his application for entrance to your Institute this year. He has already had one change of jobs since leaving Wallingford and although he is settling better at the moment is still uncertain whether he wants to continue with his present employment.

I am encouraging him to do so and it may well be that he will do well in his career when he has got over his present difficulties, In which case he will no doubt apply to you next year.

I must thank you for having received an application from him and promising to give this your sympathetic consideration but I am sure you will agree that it would be most unwise to continue with it at the present time.
Yours faithfully,
Children's Officer.

31 May 1961 - Record of visits

Mr Standring telephoned me in the early afternoon and asked if I could go over and see them as they were having considerable trouble with Bill. When I arrived Mr & Mrs Standring told me that Bill had been exceedingly difficult, that Mrs Buhling was having trouble with Bill and that his behaviour in the house had been so bad that it was causing friction.

Things had come to a head this morning when Bill had an appointment with the dentist in Thame, Mrs Buhling had offered to take him by car but he had cycled off in a temper. She had been up to see Mr Standring that she was concerned about him. Mr Standring feels that Bill has improved considerably but he is very dubious after all whether he will be able to take over the herd in September as he is still rough with the cows at times. He must get a very reliable man for this. Fortunately he has succeeded in obtaining a very good man who is also at the cottage with Bill. He has shown considerable understanding with Bill's problems but has said that Bill's behaviour in the house at times is almost intolerable. In the course of conversation over it, it came to light that Bill had written to his parents asking if he could spend a few days with them for his birthday and his father had written back refusing. Mr and Mrs Standring extremely sympathetic and helpful in view of all I told them of Bill's background they will endeavour to keep him on.

Mr Standring and I saw Bill and told him and and told him and a quiet way that he must do his best to adjust things at the lodgings. Bill said he was happy there. Told Mr Standring I would see Mrs Buhling and discuss things with her.

7th of June -1961
Saw Mrs Buhling. Bill has been better since last week. Told Mrs Buhling some of Bills problems and background. He has saved £15.

9th June 1961
Bill called at office and in good spirits. Wanted address of John Skelton in (Wallingford?) find (?). I rang Wallingford and ascertained that John was still there

Death of Mrs Ruth Swannel (ne Roe, ex Jones ) - 1889 - (16 June) 1961 - Grandmother of Bill and Susan

8 September 1961
Mr Standring rang me to say he felt that he could not keep Bill any longer. On the whole Bill was doing quite well and working quite satisfactorily, but he still had his off days when he was so moody that things did not go well generally on the farm, in fact the farm tended to work around Bill's moods.
He really had to get someone he could leave in charge of the cattle and although he hoped Bill would come to this, he did not think he could do so at the moment. For instance today a calf died and Bill had done nothing about it apparently. Bill has gone off for his day off and Mr Standring would like to see me to talk about the situation.

Called the next day and spent an hour talking over the situation with Mr Standring and his wife. Mr Standring not quite sure whether Bill is cut out for a farmer or not, but thinks he might be satisfactory in some branch of farming later on if he takes his H.L.A. He is anxious not to upset Bill and would make a gentle transition to another job and will put it to Bill that he would do best to get experience on another farm now so as to be able to go to a farm in a year's time. Bill has been earning very good money recently in the region of £11.0.0 per week and Mr Standring feels that he will not do so well when he goes to another farm. He will have a chat with Bill and then Bill ring me up again and let me know whether I should see Bill on my own or have another general discussion with them.

14 September 1961
By arrangement with Mr Standring called in the morning and had a discussion with him and with Bill. Mr standing add previously told me that he had put the matter to Bill and it was Bill suggestions in the end that we should have a discussion. Bill had recognised that it would be too much responsibility for him to take on soul charge of the herd, unfair to him and to Mr Standring. Mr Standring was quite sure that Bill has the capacity to do a very good farm training. Consequently we discussed various farm institutes to which Bill should go. Mr Standring feels that Hurley is not good enough for Bill and they had various other ideas between them which will be followed up in due course.

Meanwhile it is necessary for Bill to transfer to another farm. Mr Standring feels this should be one where he will get all-round farm training and this might rouse his interest in other aspects of farming which is his main interest at the moment
It was agreed that Bill should put an advertisement himself in the 'Farmers' Weekly' next week. Mr Standring will advise him about this and will also help him to make a short list from the replies that he receives.

4 October 1961
Telephoned Mr Standring. He said that Bill had got 36 replies to his advertisement and that he had selected a farm under Mr Wallis, Nr. Newbury, Berks. Mr Standring had some telephone conversations with Mr Wallis and his impression is that he will handle Bill well. From the interview Mr Wallace had said that Bill was much more intelligent than most of the boys he met for jobs but he had thought that he had a chip on his shoulder. I arranged with Mr Standring to see Bill on Saturday morning.

7 October 1961
Call in the morning and saw Mr and Mrs Standring and later Bill. Bill gave me the address farm as Mr Wallis, Boxford Farm, Boxford, Nr Newbury, Berks. he will be commencing with Mr & Mrs McWilliams, No.5 Council House, Boxford. Bill quite happy about the new development, does not mind my visiting him and he will tell Mr Wallis I am in the picture. I will call in about a fortnight. Bill raised the question of his application to go to a farm institute. He will make the initial approach himself to the one he has in mind and I will follow up later on.

9 October 1961

To - R.P.Menday, Esq., Warden, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
From - Children's Officer.
Re William Slack d/b 1.6.44

I thought you would like to know for your records that Bill has left his present farm and will be starting at a new farm next Sunday, 15th October 1961, viz;, with Mr Wallis of Boxford Farm, Boxford, Nr Newbury, Berks.

The circumstances which led to the change were that a short while ago Bill's present employer Mr Standring said that Bill is still a little bit too temperamental to take charge of his herd this autumn as he hoped. Consequently he would have to take on a man who could do so, and this would mean that Bill would have to go. Mr Standring was extremely nice about the whole matter and said that Bill is very intelligent and definitely has a future in farming even although he could not keep him. He also considers that Bill is a much improved person from the point of view of his personality and also from the point of view of farming ability, since he has been with him. He also said that Bill was worth a good agricultural Institute in a year or so's time and that it would in any case benefit Bill to get experience on another farm, particularly where he could get experience in a more general way than he has had in his present placement.

As Mr Shirley was about to go away on a course, the farmer kindly advised Bill about advertising. Bill got 36 replies to his advertisement in the "Farmers' Weekly," went to see several of the farm's himself, and chose Mr Wallis. At the moment Bill is on a week's holiday but he is going to start with Mr Wallis next week and I will keep you informed of any interesting developments.

Yours sincerely, children's officer

11 October 1961

To - Mr Malcolm, The Children's Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council, 18 Walton Street timer, Aylesbury, Bucks.
From - R.P.Menday, Warden, Turners Court, Benson, Oxon.
Re William Slack.

Dear Mr Malcolm,
Thank you for your letter of the 9th October. I was very interested to hear news of Bill who seems to be doing well for himself. It is kind of you to keep me informed and I shall always be glad to be kept in touch with his progress.
Yours sincerely,
R.P.Menday, Warden.

31st October -1961

To - Mr and Mrs A. Standring, Tetchworth Farm, Kingswood.
From - Child Care Officer.

Dear Mr Standring,
I have been meaning to write to you for the last two or three weeks to put on record my gratitude to you for all your kindness do Bill slack while he was in your employment. It was very nice of you to take such a tolerant view of him and to spend so much time talking to me about his problems. I was particularly appreciative of the fact that you helped him to get another job so that he did not feel unsettled again.
I have not yet heard from Bill so I cannot let you know how he is progressing but I have just written to him a note to say I will go over and see him probably next week, so I do hope all is well!

Again many thanks, yours sincerely,
Child Care Officer

31st October 1961

To - Bill Slack

From - Child Care Officer.

Dear bill,
I hope this finds you well and happily settled in your new job and lodging.

I have been wondering how you were getting on and trying to decide when I can get over to see you. perhaps you would kindly drop me a line - if only a short one - to suggest what sort of times are best. If a lunch hour is convenient I could probably come over on Friday week, November 10th at about 1 - 1:30. If this is not possible, I shall probably be away the following week so could not come until the week commencing Monday November 20th. in some ways I would prefer to wait until then but would be only too willing to come over on Friday week if there is anything you would like to discuss with me.

I know your usual reluctance to write, but please drop me a short line to let me know how things are going and if necessary, I will come over next week as suggested.
Yours sincerely

31 October 1961

To - Miss Appleby.
Re - William Slack

Please note change of address.
C/o Mrs McWilliams, 5 Council House, Boxford, nr Newbury, Berks.
Child Care Officer.

8 November 1961

Royal County of Berkshire
Children's Department, Sherwood House, 35 Bath Road, Reading

Children's Act 1948, Section 34 - William Slack.
The Children's Officer acknowledges with thanks the receipt of your communication of 8.11.61 which is receiving attention.

8 November 1961

To - Miss Stuart B.A., M.Ed., Children's Officer, Berkshire County Council. Sherwood house, 35 Bath Road, Reading.

Dear Miss Stuart,
Children's Act 1948, Section 34, William Slack

I am writing to inform you that this lad has moved into lodgings c/o Mrs McWilliams, 5 Council Houses, Boxford, Nr Newbury, Berkshire, and as employed by Mr Wallis at Boxford Farm, Boxford,, Nr Newbury.

I will be most grateful if you will not arrange for one of your Officers to visit future as this lad made these arrangements himself and maybe somewhat resentful of a new person visiting him. I should of course, be grateful to hear of anything which may come to your notice about him and my assistant who has established a good relationship with Bill over the years will be seeing him in the next week or so.
Bill's father and mother were not married at the time of his birth but came together years later and he has always been the rejected child when he came into care in May 1954 when he was living in residential accommodation in this district with his mother.

Afterwards he went to the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Reigate, and it was hoped that he would do well with his intelligence. He has an IQ of 130. Bill is not a delinquent in any way; he has always been extremely difficult to handle because he is so embittered and resentful.
After leaving the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, he went to Wallingford Training School where he did quite well and should be able to make a career for himself in farming. After leaving Wallingford last Christmas, he was placed in an especially selected farm in Derbyshire where it was felt he would get an opportunity to mix with the right type of farming family and go to the local technical Institute to continue his studies.

This plan, however, broke down after a fortnight because of his general attitude to his employer and the family. I was fortunate and finding another placement near Aylesbury with a farmer who has handled him extremely well the last eight months.

Bill is a much improved character largely because although his work was most satisfactory generally , the farmer felt that he was still not quite temperamentally suited to being in charge of the herd himself. Consequently Bill advertised and got a large number of replies from which he selected Mr Wallis.

It would seem best to let him stand on his own feet now that he has got to this age has the intelligence to manage his own affairs. As stated, one of my officers will come over and see him before long, and if it is possible to persuade Bill to co-operate he will probably suggest that he might like to be put in touch with one of your assistants for any future supervision which may be necessary.
Yours sincerely, Children's Officer
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