UK-WORKHOUSE-HOSP-L Archives

Archiver > UK-WORKHOUSE-HOSP > 2001-03 > 0984012907


From:
Subject: [UK-W&H] [Fwd: Me Too!]
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2001 19:55:07 -0500



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Me Too!
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 00:55:31 -0500
From:
To:

Hi Guys!
Congrats to those who recieved their Barnardo's packages. I also recieved a package the other day almost six months to the day I mailed my request form.
My grandfather was Clifford Pardoe, born May 25th, 1907 in the infirmary at the Dudley Rd. workhouse. He spent five years in Barnardo's care from the age of ten to fifteen when he was sent to Canada to work on a farm in Ontario. He subscribed to "Ups and Downs" and wrote letters to Barnardo's as well as an Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Annie.(They lived in England and he always said they "adopted" him as their nephew.) He obviously had fond memories of Barnardo's and was most likely treated well, but judging by the info I recieved the other day, he didn't have much to compare it to.
His mother's name was Alice Pardoe. In 1906 she was a twenty three year old living in Hendon. "The mother was in the habit of singing at the Drill Hall, and was an attractive and fascinating woman." It was there that she met and had a relationship(?) with Sergeant James Dunmow. He was soon stationed at Bombay, India and she moved to Manchester then Birmingham where she gave birth to Clifford. Alice applied to the courts and Sgt. Dunmow was ordered to pay 3/6 weekly, which he did regularly along with birthday and Christmas gifts. Alice boarded Clifford out to a Mrs Pearce and was also ordered to pay 1/6 weekly toward his care. "The child's mother, however, disappeared, and it is believed she has since gone to the bad entirely, as she had recently been committed to prison for attempting to procure abortion."
Mrs. Pearce "had great affection" for my grandfather but she passed away in 1917 just as he turned ten. Her daughter took him in temporarily but she was a twenty-two year old with four young children of her own. She contacted Sgt. Dunmow's sister Anne and they both agreed to apply to Barnardo's. Anne Dunmow forwarded the 3/6 per week from her brother to Barnardo's from then on along with the continued birthday and Christmas gifts.
I am elated to have finally found out how my grandfather ended up in Canada, however part of me is saddened by his story. How unwanted he must have felt. Admittedly, I am a bit angry too with my g-grandmother for so blatantly abandoning him. At the same time I am TRYING to grasp how difficult it must have been for an unwed mother back then.
One more thing, my grandfather said he had no idea who his father was. I hope in my heart that he really did know that "Uncle" James Clifford Dunmow WAS his father and that's why he sent all of his British Army medals to him and kept in touch with him up until he died.

Does anyone know if I can still apply for Alice Pardoe's prison records or James Dunmow's military records? I have subscribed to the Prisons mail list and posted a query but so far, no response.
Thanks for listening,
Liana Pardoe




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