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Ref NoBURN/1/37
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TitleBalne: Autobiography of ex Workhouse and Poor Law School Boy
DescriptionDOB: 1 April 1895
DOD: Unknown.

Born at 6, Saint Margaret’s Court, Southwark, London.
Neither parents nor relatives were present during the upbringing, although a name for both parents was noted down.
He was an inmate of Southwark Workhouse from 18 months old, and was transferred to a Poor-Law “Cuckoo” School from the age of 2 years old.
Given a National Insurance Pension at the age of 15, following a statutory declaration to a Justice of the Peace, via Somerset House.

Married in 1926.

Recruited by the army as a young musician in 1909.
He was then discharged in 1916 and hospitalised, before working as a temporary clerk in the Naval Store Department, White City.
Served in Australia and Africa during the Second World War (World War II).
He remained working with the Civil Service until 1948, acquiring the position of Higher Executive Officer.

Established his presence as a scholar and sportsman at school, actively maintaining that throughout.

He served in both the First World War and Second World War.
The autobiography strongly refers to the Poor Laws and workhouse.

The autobiography is handwritten, a total of 175 pages.

Poor Laws, Workhouse, Army, [War Experiences], [Travels], [Education], [Illnesses]
AuthorBalne, Edward
Date1972
Related MaterialThis autobiography is also included as part of the Writing Lives project at Liverpool John Moores University. http://www.writinglives.org/?s=edward+balne
LevelItem
Extent1
FormatBoth hard and digital copies
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