| Description | The Home of the Good Shepherd was opened in 1888 with accommodation for twelve or fourteen boys, located in a wing of the Old Hall at Hoar Cross that had been converted by Emily Meynell-Ingram. It was originally run by the Sisters of Mercy from St Margaret's Convent in East Grinstead. It appears from notes in these entries that the Sisters left in 1904 taking some boys with them while others stayed. In 1950 the Home was taken over by the Children's Society (formerly the Society for Waifs and Strays), and renamed St Michael's House Home.
The book has one double page for each boy, giving names of parents and whether still alive, and their occupations and address, and parent's cause of death if applicable; date of admission, date and place of birth, where baptised, date of confirmation, address of nearest living relative, illnesses, and by whom recommended.
Sometimes lengthy notes are made of the boys' progress after leaving, including different appointments, military service, marriage (updates generally to 1904, some up to c.1914). Many boys went into service or joined the Services during the Boer War and First World War.
Indexed at front. A summary of information is given below to assist identification, please ask for further details.
Percy Dalrymple Falkland from Woolwich / Islington, admitted 1888, left 1895 to be servant to the Bishop of Peterborough.
Arthur Thomas Dobson from Clapham / Battersea, admitted 1901, "left in the Home" 1904.
George Woodward from Newborough, admitted 1888, worked in the Hall gardens then went to work in the forests at Trentham, 1894.
Joshua John Kay from Newington, admitted 1902, left upon the recovery of his mother (who managed St Margaret's Holiday Home for Children in Shoreham where she could keep him).
Trew Frank Poole from Chalvey near Slough, admitted 1888, worked in the Hall gardens, the the Duke of Westminster's gardens, studied to become a teacher, left for Canada then America.
Ernest Salter from Plymouth, admitted 1903, boarded out, joined the Flying Corps.
His brother Thomas Edward Salter (called David), admitted 1903, boarded out, joined the Mercury training ship then the Navy
Bernard Harrison from Derby, admitted 1888, worked in the Hall gardens then Countess Grosvenor's gardens, enlisted in Militia, died at Whittington Barracks Hospital in 1900.
Thomas Taswell from Yoxall, admitted 1888, pupil teacher, then mainly clerical work
William Dodd from Fradley, admitted 1889, farm and carpentry work, joined Militia, then Coldstream Guards, then the Police.
William Gilbourne from Eastwood, Notts., admitted 1888, left to live with his sister, later worked in the mines.
William Henry Harmer from Cardiff, admitted 1889, worked for post office, apprenticed to wood carving, joined up for the [Boer] War, died of his wounds.
James John George Rowe from Battersea, admitted 1889, worked in the Hall gardens then Trentham forests, became a railway porter, married.
Harold Parsons from Bristol, admitted 1889, went to Plymouth as houseboy to clergyman, stayed in service, became a footman in London.
Augustus Clarke (called August) from Oxford, admitted 1889, went to Bridgman's in Lichfield (wood carving), served with the Volunteers in South Africa, married with large family.
Francis Thomas Humble from Scarborough, admitted 1890, went to Bridgman's as a wood carver, married.
His brother Robert Jepherson Humble, admitted 1890, apprenticed to grocer in Burton, admitted to hospital, sent to the consumption hospital at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, died there.
James Tame (called Owen Tame) from Haggerston [east London], admitted 1890, worked in Hall gardens then went into service at various places. Later note, he was the first of his regiment to be killed at Mons [1914].
James Dainty (called John) from Yoxall, admitted 1892, became a blacksmith, joined the army.
His brother William Dainty from Yoxall, admitted 1892, had orthopaedic treatment, became a page, then blacksmith, then gardener. Update, died at Ventnor consumption hospital in 1907.
Frank Sleight (called Laughton) from Laughton, Lincs., admitted 1892, learned fitting and engineering, worked in Small Arms factory, became Sergeant Armourer.
William Gallie (called Arundel) from Arundel, Sussex, admitted 1893, delivered letters then apprenticed as a joiner.
His brother Harry Gallie (Philips) from Arundel, admitted 1893, delivered letters then went to Small Arms factory, Birmingham, became Sergeant Armourer, went with regiment to the Guinea Coast.
Their brother Arthur Gustave Gallie, admitted 1893, delivered letters then apprenticed to Norman & Burt [?builders]. Note that he worked for them during the building of the new St Agnes School at East Grinstead.
William Roe from Hoar Cross, delivered letters then entered the Royal Navy, was in attendance on the king during his cruise on the Minerva in 1902, later married.
John St.John Gough (called St.John as there is another John) from Chicago, admitted 1896, boarded out at East Grinstead, apprenticed as carpenter, joined army in 1914, wounded, captured, on his return sent to Dublin.
Henry William Harris (called Wilfred) from Kings Bromley, admitted 1896, left the Home in 1904 "when the Sisters left", apprenticed to linen draper in Lichfield, joined the army.
James William Nicholson from Gateshead-on-Tyne, admitted 1896, left the Home in 1904, taken in by a clergyman.
Aubrey Innis Smalley from Burton, admitted 1897, left the Home with the Sisters, became a page, later worked on railways in the north.
His brother Guy Smalley, admitted 1897, "left in the Home" in 1904, later worked with his brother on the railway.
William Henry Linay (called Peter) from Hoxton, admitted 1899, "left in the Home" 1904.
Harry King from Sevenoaks in Kent, admitted 1900, went into service 1904, obtained a commission in the army, killed in the war.
His brother Albert King, admitted in 1900, "left in the Home" in 1904.
Edgar Ellis Edwards from Cowes, Isle of Wight, admitted 1900, left in the Home in 1904, left 1912, served in the Naval Air Force in the Great War. Also note about his brother Harold John who was briefly admitted [?problem about his baptism].
Loose at back: baptism and birth certificates 1900 (John George ?Ternfitt), 1902 (Leonard Adulph Sprungett), 1904 (Harold David Sprungett, Joseph Chapman), 1915 (Jack Curtis), 1921 (James Henry Tolley); note with pencilled notes of names and dates 1879, 1925-1931. |