Monday 28 December 2015

Marriages were so often also casualties of war.


My Mother's paternal Uncle, Albert Henry Percy FLEMING, (known as Alf) was born on the 20th of May 1889 at Camberwell, Victoria to parents Donald FLEMING and Margaret HART.

He married Margery WATERS in 1911. 
Margery was born in Wangaratta, Victoria.  
Her parents were James WATERS and Hannah BLACK.
 Alf and Margery had 2 children.  Allan Percy FLEMING born 1912 and Dorothy FLEMING born 1915.

Then war broke out and unfortunately while Alf's war service was being celebrated, his wife had fallen in love with another man.


Transcription of article:

M.C. WINNER DESERTED

ANOTHER MAN ATTRACTS HIS WIFE MELBOURNE, March 27*

In ordinary circumstances the wife of a man who enlisted during the first week of the war, and who did not return until after the armistice, and who in addition distinguished himself by winning the Military Cross, would be a very proud woman on the day of his disembarkation to join the family circle. There was however no wife to greet Albert Henry Percy Fleming, M.C, when he stepped ashore in November, 1918, and explanation was furnished before Mr. Justice Cussen to-day, when the soldier figured in a new role — that of petitioner in divorce proceedings. Fleming, who is 32 years of age, and by occupation a tramway employee, living at Johnston street, Abbotsford, sought a dissolution of his marriage with Margery Marie Fleming, 27, on the grounds of desertion. They were married in March, 1911, and there are two children. Flem ing stated that he enlisted with his wife's consent, and whilst abroad received promotion, and was awarded the Military Cross. His wife did not meet him on his return, and when he interviewed her at Cheshunt she remarked 'I wrote to you in France that I would not live with you again, and I do not intend to do so now;. She would give no other explanation, and shortly afterwards he took his boy away with him. Subsequently respondent visited his uncle's place at Port Melbourne, and promised to return if he brought the boy back. He agreed, and they lived together for one night only, after which she declared that now that he had brought the boy back she did not propose to return to him. Having made this statement she walked away from him and conversed with another man, whose name was unknown to petitioner. A witness who   was called in connection with the service of the papers remarked that respondent had received an offer of marriage from another man, and apparently intended to make up with him. 
A decree nisi was granted.

2 comments:

  1. That is incredibly sad. I do hope Albert found happiness again.

    ReplyDelete