Person

Robert Wilkinson was born in Consett on 8 November 1899. His father was also called Robert and worked with cranes in a steel mill. His mother was Hannah Wilkinson. Robert junior was the youngest of five boys born to the couple, although the 1911 census suggests that one of these children had died by the time of this census. In 1901 the Wilkinson family were living at 24 Front Street in Consett.

On 23 December 1909, at the age of 10, Robert was admitted to Earl’s House Industrial school due to having committed a larceny. His admission number was 969. Earl’s House Industrial school was one of a number of schools where boys were committed by a magistrate for offences such as larceny, vagrancy or truancy. The schools also took boys who showed behaviour which was beyond their parents’ control. The boys were taught skills including tailoring, gardening and agricultural skills to give them a trade to gain employment when they left the school.

Robert was at Earl’s house school for nearly six years, being discharged on 7 November 1915. During that time he was trained in tailoring skills. From registers of admission and discharge from the school, his conduct at school was described as good.

The register of discharge records Robert as being discharged into the care of friends and using the skills learnt at the school to work as a tailor for Mr H. Robinson, earning 9 shillings a week. Unfortunately this employer stopped trading in April 1916 and Robert had to seek alternative employment. He found work at Consett Steel works being paid 10 shillings 6 pence a week. However, Robert apparently wanted to return to the tailoring trade, applying to leave employment at the steel works to return to tailoring in October 1916. This application was refused as working in the steel works was seen as essential for the war effort.

Robert remained working at the steelworks during 1917 and 1918. Records state he was ‘looking very well’ during this time. By July 1918 he had joined the army and was stationed at Richmond. In December 1919 a visit mentioned on his records shows he had returned to working at the Iron works and was doing very well.

At the time of the 1939 register Robert was working as a blast furnace labourer and was still living in Consett. He was married by this time with records suggesting he was married to Mary Wilkinson. Records also suggest that the couple had one or more children at this time.

Children’s Homes.Org page on Industrial Schools:
http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/IS/

Civil Parish: Consett

Birth date: 8-Nov-1899

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 24 Front Street, Consett (1901 census)
Earl’s house Industrial School (1911 census)
53 Front Street, Consett (Address for family – 1911 census)
8 Medomsley Road, Consett (1915- Address of family or employer on discharge)
11 Grosvenor Terrace, Consett (1939 register)

Education: Earl’s House Industrial School (1909-1915)

Employment: Tailor (Earl’s House register of Discharge)
Ironworker (Earl’s House register of Discharge)
Blast Furnace Labourer (1939 register)

Family: Parents: Robert Wilkinson, Hannah Wilkinson
Siblings: William J Wilkinson, Joseph Wilkinson, George Wilkinson, Douglas Wilkinson
Spouse: Mary Wilkinson

Military service:

Enlisted into Army, stationed at Richmond

Gender: Male

Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham