Impression
Sketch of Jessie Watson, accused of neglecting her children - By Jamie Mann.
The wife of a soldier, Mrs Jessie Watson -
A resident at no. 27 Fisherton
Street,
Marylebone - in neglect of her
children,
Was charged by the National Society
For the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children.
Her numbers of children were a total
of six;
Ages 10, 9, 6, 5,3 and one just 6
months.
Mrs Watson’s appearance took place
On 12 April, at Marylebone
Police-court -
To face her prosecutor, Mr A.
A. Romaine
Solicitor - the over-viewer being Mr
Garrett.
Before the war Mr Watson was
employed
As a car-man – he had earned 25s
weekly
On his joining the army his wife
would
Receive 31s 6d weekly – given evidence
Of the court, showed Mrs Watson’s neglect.
The family home described as
deteriorated,
Looking more like a stable - the
children
Were dirty - all being due to Mrs
Watson -
A mother who habitual drank and
was drunk;
Her habit had once changed in
November.
Previously Mrs Watson had signed a
pledge,
With intervention of a prosecuting
Society -
Prompting the mothers behaviour for
both
Children and home improvement
situation
Yet in March a discovery of worse
conditions.
Sergeant Stoneham 21 D, a police
officer,
Had on five times called on behalf
of war
Office inquiries - never finding Mrs
Watson
At Home - only on one occasion did
was
She there - laying drunk on the
stairs.
No food in the house, or fire in the
hearth,
To admit her children’s clothes and
boots
Being pawned -all are half clothed
and half
Starved – the result of her
taking to drink;
Not being the only such case
of War Office.
Mrs Watson stood in the stand,
tearful,
Stating how her husband was coming
Home for her birthday - to arrive
that day
4.30 p.m. for 4 days leave – until
19 April
When he was leaving. perhaps
forever.
The accused begged for a further
chance.
An address by Mr Garrett stated that
she
Should have considered that before -
Having a soldier-husband to support her
To gain 31s, by the country's
generosity.
Although Mrs Watson pleaded to see
her
Husband before he was due at
the front
Mr Garrett sentenced her to two
months
Prison – the agreement being her
children
Would then go to the workhouse-she
cried.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Soldiers Wife and Drink –
Magistrate’s Condemnation. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 13 Apr. P.4. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11520566/Daily-Telegraph-April-13-1915.html
[Accessed: 13 April 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication,
13 April 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
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