The Story of a "HOME BOY" -
William John Weller

William John Weller, 1895 - 1959

From 1865 to 1920 some 100,000 children between the ages of 7 and 14 were sent to Canada and other British commonwealth countries pursuant to The Child Migration Act of England.  For the most part, these children were sent from large orphanges — Dr.Barnardo's, the Fegan and Maria Fry Homes, as well as from many industrial schools.  In all, approximately 50 other agencies participated in this scheme.  In 1890 the situation worsened when additional legislation was passed that made it possible to send children abroad without the knowlegdge or permission of the parents.

Largely, the "home" children came from broken homes:  widowed mothers who could no longer care for them or from families weighed down by the grinding poverty of Britain at that time unable to feed and care for the large numbers of household members.  Some children were abused by those into whose care they were given and treated as virtual slaves.  Others were sent to homes where they were treated as if they were members of the receiving family.  In the past, it was hard to get any "home" child to speak about his or her past.  Most of the children felt as if they were the "dregs" of society, that no one wanted them.  In fact, this sadly appears to be the case in most instances.  During 1920, legislation was passed in Canada forbiding the emigration of children under the age of 14.  This was not done to protect the poor depressed British child but rather to prevent the "watering down" of good Canadian blood or, as it is known, for the preservation of good "Eugenics".

The following is the report of a child that was taken into one of these homes in 1906: William John Weller.  He was the father of Isobel Joan Weller, wife of the designer of this Web Page.

Image of description of William John Weller prepared by Dr. Barnardo's home on entrance into care.

Remarks of Medical Officer —

Inspector Welling, N.S.P.C.C., Birmingham, applied to our local branch on behalf of this lad, who had begged that he might be removed from living with his father.  Our superintendent took charge of the lad and afterwards procured the following particulars.  The parents were married at St.James Church, Handsworth, on May 16 1895, at which time the father was a coachman to Dr. Urquhart,of Smethwick.  His drinking habits caused him to be dismissed at the end of six years.  He then became a Cab Driver,and from that time the home was wretched and unhappy,and eventually (in April,1904), everything was sold, even the mother's wedding ring.  The mother entered service, placing the two sisters with aunts and undertaking to provide them with clothing, which she has since done.  For the past two years, William has been with his father, who has no regular abode and has frequently been turned out of his lodgings because of his drunkeness.  The boy would have starved but for the kindness of cabmen who knew him and shared their food with him.  A newspaper cutting shows that the father was charged on the 21st of June last at Smethwick Police Court on an N.S.P.C.C. charge of neglecting and abandoning the boy.  It was said that the two had slept in outhouses until the father deserted the boy, who then had a "fearful experience".  Applicant stated that he was found in rags and alive with vermin.  Council announced that a Mr. Pitt, an engineer of Handsworth, offered to arrange for the father's future, suggesting emigration, and in view of this proposal, the man was dealt with under the First Offenders Act and fined 40/ and 14/6 costs, which Mr.Pitt paid.  The latter turned out to be his brother-in-law.  William was temporarily with the aunt, Mrs Allen, who expressed her inability to keep him.  Applicant could not understand why the father had not been sent to prison.  He was most anxious the boy should have been placed in the Homes beyond reach of such a man.  He is healthy and intelligent and a bright, willing lad.

Relatives:
Father — William John Weller (36) oddjobber, no abode
Mother — Isabel Weller (36), servant, 8/ a week, 9 Pearman Road, Smethwick
Sisters — Bertha (8) with aunt, Mrs Allen.  Maud (5) with aunt Mrs. Rodgers
Grandfather (maternal) —John Pool (67), time-keeper, 9 Pearman Rd. Smethwick
Grandmother (maternal) —Charlotte Weller (65), kept by her sons, 50 Grantham Road, Smethwick
Uncles (paternal) — Arthur Weller (23), nail maker, and Harold Weller (15) apprentice, 30 Grantham Road, Smethwick
Uncles (maternal) — William Poole, at sawmills, cripple, 3 Lord Steet, Skerton, Lancaster
Aunts — Margaret Allen, wife of turner, 21 Salisbury Road, Smethwick, Jane Rodgers, wife of planer, 9 Pearman Road, Smethwick