It is known that a building on the Shelsley Side of Woodbury Hill existed in the late 19th and early 20th Century's, which was owned by Dr Barnardo's. On old maps it is shown as the reformatory, but the locals always spoke of it as 'The Home'.
Lady who wrote the extract caused some small confusion by stating that Witley Court was in the Parish of Shrawley.
'My Father, William Gwilliam lived in what he referred to as 'The Home' for four years. His father had died and his mother was unable to look after him and work. She was employed at Witley Court in the Parish of Shrawley, ( Worcestershire) England, as a maid.
The rules in 'The Home' were strict, discipline harsh, and food scarce. My Father begged his mother to let him emigrate. He arrived in Canada in 1902 at the age of 14 years with only a shilling to his name. This he promptly spent on apples, something he had always had a craving for. Eventually he planted an orchard in Canada which fulfilled this craving.
He was placed on a farm near Smithsfalls, Ontario. He was not mistreated physically but he was exploited. The summer hour of rising was four o'clock, and continued until dark. The pay was $4.00 a month and board.
In winter the hours were slightly shorter, but there was no pay, only room and board. At Christmas he received a pair of socks. The cost of these was deducted from his pay the following spring.
He spent four years on the farm, and then went to the Silver Mines at Cobalt. He also worked for a winter in the bush of Northern Ontario in a Lumbering Camp.
Those were the days of free Enterprise and father was always eager to advance. He saved his money and brought his first farm at Pike Falls, Ontario. The golden opportunity for adventure and advancement next prompted him to sell his farm and go to Moose Kaw, Saskatchewan, where he homesteaded and did very well. He sold out during the 'Dirty Thirties' and bought another farm near Perth, Ontario. This was where l was born.
Father had a driving ambition. He purchased several other farms in the vicinity and built up a fine herd of Holstein Friesian Cattle. To his disappointment all his sons tried farming, but left to take jobs in the city. The girls in the family continued on with their education and became, two of us are nurses, two are Secretary's while l am a Teacher
Bill kept a press cutting from Worcester Berrows Journal, which mentioned his late Father:
A century ago, the Journal reported on the AGM of the Governors of the Worcester Royal Albert Orphan Asylum
The meeting was told of substantial alterations and improvements carried out to the Henwick Road buildings, 'for the comfort and general health of the inmates'.
"The Master and Matron and other officers have again discharged their duties through the year to the entire satisfaction of the Governors. Two boys have emigrated to Canada, and the Board continues to receive very satisfactory reports of the progress in life of other boys who have previously emigrated. There are 80 children at the Asylum - 44 boys and 36 girls"