By Averil Staunton
One of the biggest problems facing the guardians was how to cope with all the young children and orphans who were likely to remain in the Workhouse for a long time. While categorised as orphans, many still had one living parent. Once they entered the Workhouse they were regarded as wards of the Poor Law guardians, and titled orphans. Subsequently their lives were completely under the control of the guardians. They could employ them as they wished or send them further afield as in the case with some boys who were sent to serve in the British Merchant Navy or The Royal Navy.