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| Fareham Cemetery |
1824 Vagrancy Act
To set the scene for Francis’s story you need to know about the Vagrancy Act. This act was passed in 1824 by the English Parliament making it an offence to sleep rough or beg. It was a law that criminalized those who were homeless and forced to beg for survival, irrespective of why the individuals were placed in this predicament. It meant anyone found begging could be arrested and sentence to imprisonment. Francis was one of the unlucky individuals who fell afoul of the act.
County Asylum 1901 – 1919
Four years after the last reference to Francis came the 1901 census, this was taken in April 1901. Francis was living on his own in Up Marden, Sussex occupation given as carter on farm and marital status single. By the 1911 census Francis is recorded as an inmate in West Sussex County Asylum in Graylingwell situated on the outskirts of Chichester. He was recorded as a farm labourer, 49 years old and a widower. Reviewing the records for the Asylum they show that Francis was admitted on 8 October 1901 and was discharged on 8 August 1918 stating he was recovered. With the advent of World War 1, the asylum was requisitioned to act as a military hospital with the patients being redistributed through other asylums within the south east. Francis’s records have Canterbury written on them, so we can assume he was transferred to Kent. It was here in Canterbury he was released in 1918. Can you imagine how he felt after release from the asylum after 17 years? England was now a country at war with Germany, Francis had no job, no means of support, and was miles from home.
Begging in Kent 1919
Six months after his release this article appeared in the Kent papers.
Article from Kent and Sussex Courier - 28 February 1919
Headline: “Tunbridge Wells Borough Bench – Not Wanted”
Francis Titheridge was charged with begging alms on Mount Ephraim 25th February. P.C. Huckstep stated that when searched at the Police Station a sum of 5 shillings and ten and a half pence in coppers was found on the prisoner. The Chief Constable (Mr Charles Prior) said complaints had been received of defendant’s conduct. He first gave his age as 80, then 70 and finally 69 years. Upon promising to leave the town Titheridge was sentence to one day’s imprisonment, the chairman telling him that he was not wanted in Tunbridge Wells.
Begging in Hampshire 1919-1928
Three months later 64-year-old Francis made it home to Hampshire. A series of newspaper articles tell his story over the next nine years.
Article from Hampshire Telegraph - 30 May 1919
Headline: Havant and Emsworth News of the District – Occasional Court
On Monday, before Mr. S. E. Mills, an elderly vagrant name Francis Titheridge was charged with begging. P.C. Old arrested him in Market Lane about nine o’clock. He was calling at houses telling a tale about having been invalided from the Army and trying to raise a breakfast. Prisoner, who admitted the charge, was sentence to one day’s imprisonment.
Article from Hampshire Telegraph - 6 June 1919
Headline: Petersfield and District – Prison for Beggar
An elderly man named Francis Titheridge was brought before Dr Cross at the Police-court, on Monday, charged with begging in the High Street the previous evening. P.C. Arnold gave evidence, and accused, who was before the court for a similar offence only a week or two ago, was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment.
Article from Hampshire Telegraph - 24 November 1922
Headline: Fareham and District – Begging at Porchester
At a special Police Court at Fareham on Tuesday, before Mr V. T. Keen, two men named Francis Titheridge and William Henry Walker, were charged with begging at Porchester on the previous day. P.C. Hill deposed to seeing the accused calling from house to house. Titheridge pleaded guilty and there being four previous convictions against him, he was sent to prison for seven days, while Walker who pleaded not guilty and against whom there was no previous offence, was sentenced to one day’s imprisonment.
Article from Portsmouth Evening News - 30 November 1923
Headline: Gosport Light Police Court
Francis Titheridge (82), a tramp of no fixed abode, was questioned by P.C. Seamark for begging alms in Oak Street, Gosport, on November 29, when 5 shillings in coppers were found in his possession. Titheridge, who bears a bad record, was sent to prison for a month.
Article from Portsmouth Evening News - 8 January 1924
Headline: Court Gosport Police - A Beggars “Rest”
With a very bad record as a rogue and vagabond, Francis Titheridge (77), a tramp, was given a ticket of admission to the House of Industry, and told that must stop there. From the evidence of P.C. Kemp, the prisoner begged alms in Upper South Street on Monday, with excuse that he wanted to get enough money for a bed, but when searched 7shillings 7 pence was found in his possession.
Article from Hampshire Telegraph - 26 October 1928
Headline: Petersfied and District Old Enough to Know Better
Francis Titheridge (86) was brought before Dr Cross (presiding) and Mr. E. J. Baker at the Petersfield Police Court on Tuesday charged with absconding from the Petersfield Poor Law Institution on Sunday and taking with him goods to the value of 1 pound 10 shillings, the property of the guardians. The accused pleaded guilty. Mr W. Ixer, Master at the Institution, said that on Sunday morning the accused was missing. He was found by the police at Havant and taken by P.C. Turrell to Petersfield. He said he only wanted to get out to see his sister. Supt Ellis said there were numerous convictions against the accused, mostly under the Vagrancy Act. He was 86 of age, and old enough to know better. In answer to the Chairman (Dr Cross), accused express his willingness to go back to the Institution and remain there.
Fareham Poor Law Institution 1939 – 1941
In 1939 a register was taken of everyone in Britain. Francis was recorded at Fareham Poor Law Institution, 52 Wickham, Fareham
The entry reads: Francis Titheridge patient born 25 December 1846
Francis’ death was recorded in March quarter of 1941 in Gosport District, Hampshire aged 94. His actual age was 87.
Francis was buried on 1st April 1941 at Fareham Cemetery in grave 3572. His gravestone is no longer standing but an X on the right of the picture below marks the position of the grave.
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| Francis's burial place in Fareham Cemetery - marked with an X |
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