W's father died of tuberculosis in 1898. His mother was subsequently accepted by the Cornwall County Nursing Association to train as a district nurse provided she could find a suitable home for W., her only child. After three or four years she would be in a position to support herself and the child. She had no relations who could care for W. while she was training as a district nurse so she was anxious to find him a home where he would be under "good influences and discipline". She was able to contribute £10 a year towards his maintenance. W. was accepted into the Helston Home for Boys on 6 February 1902. Later that year the matron of the Helston Home told W's mother that she felt that the boy would do better in a Home where he would be under the control of a master. It was decided to transfer W. to the House Boy Brigade, Pimlico on 8 September 1902. At this Home W. was maintained free of charge.
