South Yorkshire Times October 5, 1946

Joey the Crow
Unusual Conisbrough Pet Goes to School, enjoys bus rides

This is the story of Joey the Crow, audacious, lovable, mischievous Joey. Bus passenger: trolley vehicle traveller; mimic; school visitor; show man – and possessor of a judicious taste for this week’s joint.

This is a formidable catalogue of achievements from a bird little more than five months old, but Joey, proud possession of 18 year old David Kerr, Boy Scout and only son of Mr and Mrs G. W. Kerr. 11, Old Mill Road, Crook Hill Road, Conisbrough, and can answer to them all. But let David tell you the tale of his pet.

Had fallen from nest.

“I found Joey about five months ago.” He told me. “Near the five lane ends while I was out for a walk, he was a poor -looking little thing then. He had fallen out of his nest in the wood by Crookill Hall and seemed to be half dead.”

“David is passionately fond of animals and birds.” Father said.

“I think he must have hurt a wing because he dropped on one side for quite a long time, but we fixed him up with a nest of hay in the poultry run and set him on bread and milk with a spoon. The hens didn’t mind in the least and soon got used to him.”

“He sits on their porch now.” Mother interposed.

“We call him Joey and he quickly became accustomed to his name. And he will do most things for me. I have taken him on the bus and on the trackless service to Mexborough to see my Uncle Herbert, and very well behaved he remains. He sits calmly on my shoulder and refuses to let the passengers worry him. He has also been to school, but I didn’t keep him with me during lessons. He was kept in the woodwork room – one of the woodwork masters took a liking to him – and when I went to fetch him after school I found him sitting on one of the desks playing with some of the other boys.

Joey’s bath.

“Tell the reporter about Joey and his bath,” advised mother.

“Oh, yes. He just mimics our duck, and puts his head in the water and shakes. He takes a bath every day. Joey, however, is not so fond of my dog, Rack. Rack’s a friendly soul, but Joey stands his ground and sticks forward his head and opens his beak.”

He’s getting a little jealous, mother explained. “But he’s up to all the tricks. I found him with our joint on the floor in the kitchen today,”

David disclosed just one more of Joey’s accomplishments. Until a month ago David has for some six years been attending Doncaster Royal infirmary and when he went to catch the bus at the junction of crooked Road and Doncaster Rd, Joey would go to see him off. “He would sit on the seat or on the wall across the road – all the old men who use the seat no him – and there he would wait until I got back about an hour later.” David said.

“And what happened if you were late in returning?” I asked.

“He would fly about halfway up Crookhill road and wait for me there”

“When David comes home from school he has only to call ’Joey’ when he is halfway across the field and Joey is away like a flash,” said mother.

Joey spends his evenings now in the coal house, but at mealtime he takes up a vantage point on the windowsill outside, tapping at the window with his beak. And watching the family at table. “What does he feed upon?” I acquired.

“He likes meat just now.” Mother said with resigned look in her eye. “He likes the dog’s bones too.” Said father.

“– But best of all he likes biscuits,” said David.

It was long after a crow’s bedtime, but David retrieved him from his nesting spot. And I left him, sleek and happy. Climbing up steps made by David’s moving hands – as proud as his master.