I had arrived at my new posting. The boys reformatory had just opened and welcomed it's first intake of wayward boys. The six boys now resident had been sent there from other establishments because of the "special needs" these children had. Originally they were from abusive or criminal home backgrounds and had been committed as being in need of care and protection. They were very disturbed kids and had been unable to come to terms with the relatively relaxed regimes at their residential homes. Consequently the authorities had decided a tougher approach was needed and had purchased a large country house which had been converted into a unit for these children to live in until they reached the age of 16. I had decided on a rigorous approach to discipline and had instructed the 2 domestic staff (the Misses Brown and Scott who would be housemothers) not to tolerate any insolence or misbehaviour.
The six boys had arrived together although they were from different homes. I told them to assemble in my study along with Miss Brown and Miss Scott. The official who had collected them from their previous homes and delivered them here was about to leave when I called him back. "I trust all these children behaved well on their journey here".I asked.
"One of them was a little bit lippy" he replied and I asked which one. The official pointed out a dark haired boy of about 12. He realised he was being talked about and averted his eyes away from us. I decided an early, and public, example would be made of him.
The boys lined up in front of the desk behind which I sat in the study. They were flanked by the 2 lady housemothers. I began my address. "You all know why you are here. You are here because your previous homes were unable to control you. Let me assure you that any, and I mean ANY, misbehaviour here will result in severe and painful punishments." I let my words sink in before continuing. "If you are told to do something you will do it without question. You will treat your elders, here and at your schools, with respect. You will keep your rooms and yourselves tidy. If you fail to behave in the proper manner I have, in the cupboard behind me, various instruments which you will not be happy to encounter." In truth there were 2 bamboo canes with curved handles, a thick leather razor strap, and my ultimate deterrent a metre long horsewhip which would be used for the worst instances of misbehaviour. I opened the cupboard door and ordered the children one by one to look inside to see what awaited them if they failed to maintain my standards. "You will now step forward one at a time and call out to me your name and your age"
The boys came forward one at a time. Stuart Robinson was 13 as was John Maynes. Maynes was the one who had been "lippy" according to the official. Craig Hunt and Kevin Harley were 12 and finally the 11 year olds Scott Baker and Phil Lamb announced themselves. I wrote each name in a large book allocating 2 pages for each child. The children did not know but this was to be the punishment log. Each time a child was punished the date, number of strokes and the instrument used would be recorded. Unknown to Maynes I had written today's date under his name. I had also written 8 strokes, cane, rudeness. I then called Maynes to step forward. "Why were you rude to the driver who brought you here" I demanded to know. The boy had protested that he hadn't been. "Why do you think the driver said you were lippy?" I went on. The boy said he did not know. Unknown to the child I had asked the driver to wait in the lounge for a short while and I asked Miss Scott to show him into the study. The driver entered. "You told me earlier one of the children was lippy to you. Will you please point out which boy." The driver pointed to Maynes. "And would you tell me what you mean by being lippy". The driver said that the boy had been chattering loudly to some of the others and had repeatedly been told to be quiet. On at least one occasion he had muttered "old grumpy" under his breath. Also the driver had noticed him, in his rear view mirror, making rude faces and gestures. "What do you have to say boy" I shouted. The boy mumbled an apology and I thanked the driver and sent him on his way. "I will not tolerate rudeness or insolence. You will be punished, John Maynes, and the rest of you will watch as an example to you all" The boy was stunned. He had only been here a few minutes and already he was to be punished.
"Please sir, I'm sorry, I've learnt my lesson. I won't be rude again". The child was trembling slightly. He obviously realised discipline here was to be far tougher than his previous home.
I had opened a thick folder in which was kept the records of all these children. Maynes' file showed him to be a child who had little respect for authority. He did not pay attention at school and was frequently disruptive. I ordered him to step forward and read the entry I had made in the punishment book. I told him to turn and face the other children and the housemothers. I then pointed to his name and told him to read what it said in the book. The boy sniffed and said in a weak voice "It says my name then it says 8 strokes, then it says cane, then it says rudeness".I then turned my attention to the other children watching intently.
"For the moment every time one of you is punished the rest will watch. This is to act as an example to discourage misbehaviour. I am going to give John 8 strokes of the cane for being rude to the man who brought you here. You should all be aware this is what will happen to any of you if you are naughty." I then turned to the cupboard and withdrew the long thin bamboo cane which I held firmly by it's handle. I turned to face John and flexed the cane. I moved in front of the desk and led the boy by an arm to a big leather armchair which sat to the side of my desk. I pushed the chair towards the centre of the study so it was visible to the other 5 children and the housemothers. All the boys were wearing the usual casual clothes for in care kids, white t-shirt and shorts and white socks. Trainers had been removed on entering the house. John was scared that his white shorts and the briefs he had on underneath would not offer much protection against the cane. Little did he know the punishment was to be more humiliating for him than he realised. I led him to the chair and positioned him so he was facing an arm with the back of the chair to his right. I then uttered the single word which caused the boy to sob gently. "Strip".The 13 year old looked up at me with moist, pleading eyes. Seeing my expression however he did not argue. However he was tardy in commencing to strip and I was obliged to say again, this time louder and more firmly "STRIP !". John removed first his t shirt, then his socks before slowly lowering his shorts. He stood shaking, now clad only in dark blue briefs. The child clearly hoped he would be allowed to keep his briefs on. I stood and glared at him and he realised this was not to be the case. As I began flexing the cane he slowly lowered his briefs and stepped out of them. "Bend over" I commanded "and stay down until I tell you to get up or you will regret it". John bent over the arm of the chair and held firmly onto the opposite arm. I moved behind him and took 2 trial swishes through the air, the boy tensed as he heard the whoosh of the cane. Finally I tapped his backside with the cane and then drew back my arm and cracked the instrument firmly across the exposed bottom. Maynes screamed but stayed down. The second stroke brought forth another yell and the third caused the boy to jerk upwards momentarily. However he knew he had to stay in place or suffer the consequences and so he went straight down again. Numbers 4 and 5 caused even more noise and I noticed my audience of children were watching open mouthed. The housemothers were watching impassively. Stroke 6 was delivered just below the crease of the bottom at the top of the legs and this resulted in another leap upwards but again the boy was down again instantly. Number 7 landed centrally and the final stroke cracked again at the top of the legs. John had obviously been counting and nearly got up but remembered I had told him to stay down until I told him to rise, which I eventually did. I ordered him to face me. "Have you learnt your lesson"? I asked. I was answered by a tearful nod and sniffle as the naked boy vigorously rubbed his throbbing backside. I turned to the other 5 children and asked if they had learnt anything and they all said they had. I then ordered them all out of my study before telling John to dress and join the others.
I replaced the cane in the cupboard and reflected that this was a lesson well taught and hopefully well learnt. However I was sure before too long the bamboo canes, or worse, would need to be aired again.