E's father had spent time in a mental asylum. At the time of the application to the Waifs and Strays' Society he was charged with neglect because he deprived his wife and six children of proper food. The case was reported in the Oxford Times 26 November 1892. E's mother was an alcoholic who had recently "signed the pledge". E. went to the Dorking Ladies' Association Home for Friendless Girls. This was not one of the Society's own homes. Pupils from the Girls' High School at Bedford contributed payments for E's maintenance in the home.
