- The eldest of those children, Will and Caroline Musgrove, didn't attend the poor schools because they were older than the minimum school leaving age which, at that time, was 12.
- Alf Musgrove (born August 1893) attended Banstead Road School (BRS) for nearly 7 years between 15th August 1902 and when he was discharged on 20th April 1909 to join the 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry in Aldershot. On the 1911 census, Alf was serving with the 1st King's Only Yorkshire Light Infantry in China.
- Bert Musgrove (born April 1895) attended BRS for 8 years between 22nd August 1902 and when he was discharged on 8th October 1910 to join the Royal Garrison Artillery in Gosport. On the 1911 census he was serving there. I don't have his service records, but he retired as a Major with the Royal Artillery.
- George Musgrove (born 1896) attended BRS for over 9 years between 15th August 1902 and when he was discharged on 20th April 1909 to join the King's Own Light Infantry in Ireland. He was decorated with both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal. Read more about him by clicking here.
- Frank and Jack Musgrove (born June 1898 and 1900 respectively) were both at Marlesford Lodge and BRS for just a few months between 17th June 1907 and 15th January 1908. During this time, their mother was in "a fever hospital". Frank died of his wounds in October 1917 while fighting for the small village of Passendale.
Poor Law Unions
After 1834, parishes were grouped into Poor Law Unions and these unions reported to the newly created Poor Law Commission. Each Poor Law Union was run by a board of guardians elected by ratepayers from their constituent parishes.
Residential Schools for pauper children
Each union was required to set up a properly constituted residential school for pauper children with a salaried schoolmaster or schoolmistress. Pauper children were to receive both a basic education and industrial training to make them fit for employment. The 1844 Poor Law Amendment Act and 1848 District Schools Act gave the Poor Law Commissioners powers to combine parishes and unions into school districts which would establish a large residential school outside London for the care and education of all pauper children from the areas concerned. Seven Poor Law School Districts were formed covering the London metropolitan area. (Source : Wikipedia)
Kensington and Chelsea decided not to have a 'district' school but instead to have a stepping stone school in Hammersmith and a cottage home development in Banstead, Surrey.
Marlesford Lodge (ML)
The stepping stone school was at Marlesford Lodge in Hammersmith which was opened in 1883 as a reception centre for girls and infant boys temporarily in the care of the Guardians or awaiting transfer to Banstead. Here they assessed the children for their suitabilty for the Banstead Road School. If a child was admitted and assessed before 2 p.m. they washed them and sent them to Banstead on the same day.
Banstead Road School (BRS)
The design was one of a model village in the countryside, much like Bournville. The village consisted of an administration block with probationary rooms, where the children stayed for a couple of weeks for observation before moving them to one of the cottages on the estate. There was a bakery, laundry and swimming pool plus, of course, a chapel. Alternate days were spent by the children doing school work and domestic duties.