WIFE & CHILD DESERTERS IN AUSTRALIA

IN THE 19TH & 20TH CENTURIES

In 1988 I published Digging for Gold. A guide to researching family & local history in Victoria's Central Goldfields. The book was the first basic guide to goldfields research for genealogists and local historians. It has been out of print for some years now, but copies are available in many family history organisations, local libraries and various State libraries. I subsequently co-authored and published Cops and Robbers. A Guide to Researching 19th Century Police and Criminal Records in Victoria, Australia. This book is currently still available for purchase from Harriland Press

One particular source I find useful is the listing of wife and child deserters regularly published in the Victoria Police Gazettes. As the Gazettes were not indexed until 1859, in Digging for Gold I included the basic details of those deserters listed from the commencement of the Gazettes in December 1853, until December 1858. I also found and included a listing of South Australian families left destitute by husbands abandoning them for the Victorian goldfields. The South Australian listing will be found further down this page.

Copies of the Gazettes to 1872 are now available on microfiche, and many family history libraries have them, but it is difficult for many people to access Gazettes after this time period, so for some time now I have been extracting the basic details of these wife and child deserters, indexing the entries and creating cross references to places, and publishing them on microfiche. The periods covered so far are: 1880-1885, 1886-1890, 1891-1895. Each microfiche contains around 3,000 entries, and includes some extracts from interstate Police Gazettes.

As well as wife deserters, there are many references to men deserting their illegitimate children. While the police were concerned with offenders, and thus list only the offender in the Gazette indexes, I have also cross referenced the names of all victims. For those people trying to find the father of an illegitimate child, this source can be very useful. Copies of the microfiche are available from Harriland Press Special reduced prices for these fiche apply while stocks last.

During my searches through miscellaneous police correspondence files I have also come across many references to wife (and occasionally husband) deserters. Many of these entries are reproduced in the Police Gazette. However some of these files also include a photograph of the deserter, so I have now started including these details on this web page. Scroll down to the conclusion of the South Australian Deserters, and you will find the commencement of this new index.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES LEFT DESTITUTE BY HUSBANDS GOING TO THE VICTORIAN GOLD DIGGINGS, 1855

Copied from the Victoria Police Gazette, 31 August 1855.

[Details given: Name, Age, Address, No. of children, Name of ship, Remarks]

ASHLEY, -. 32, Grenfell St., 4, Olivia, husband absent c10 mths.

BENNETT, -, 42, Franklin St., 4, Indian, absent c1 yr, never sent any money.

BENSON, Margaret, 39, Logan St., 4, Chatham, absent c16 mths.

BERTRAM, -, 23, Irish Town, 4, John Casar, left when he had been a few weeks in colony, left no money behind.

BLOCKWICK, -, 27, Dry Creek, 2, Canton, husband absent c2 yrs.

BONES, Martha, 32, Elizabeth St., -, Duke of Wellington, left soon after arrival.

BROADBENT, M.A., 21, Para, 1, Elgin, went to diggings with threat never to return to family.

BURGESS, Elizabeth, 21, Wright St., 2, Merope, absent c2 yrs, sent £20 about 12 mths since.

BUTTLE, -, 40, Kermode St., 6, Navarino, away 3 yrs, never heard of him since.

CAINS, - 27, Bent St, 3, Trafalgar, away c3 yrs.

CLARK, -, 27, Grey St., -, James Fernie, away c9 mths.

COLLEY, Mary, 37, Brompton, 8, Duchess Northumberland, away c12 mths, sent £13.

CONOLAN, - 27, Myrtle St., 2, Catherine, went away 12 mths ago, took all their money and left her destitute.

DARLING, Rosa, 30, Near Windmill, North Rd., 5, [not given] away a year, received £23m now destitute.

DAVIES, Ann, 20, Sturt St., 2, Elgin, away c12 mths

DAVIS, Catherine, [not given] Hindmarsh, 5, Emerald Isle, is a Welshman, left a few weeks after arrival, sent letter in June, but no money.

DAW, Susanna, 30, Bowden, 4, Winchester, away c2 yrs; sent £10 14 mths ago.

DOWLING, Rose, 30, Pulteney St., 5, Trafalgar, away, received 7 July 2^nd.

EY, Henrietta, [not given] Norwood, 4, [not given], absent.

FORTUNE, Margaret, 22, Weymouth St, 1, Trafalgar, away c15 mths.

GAIL, M.A., 23, Robert St., 1, Clipper, left at Diggings, came to Adelaide seeking him, has since heard that he has returned there.

GODFREY, Ann, 35, John St., [not given] Mount Stuart, away c16 mths.

GOODMAN, -, 28, Nailsworth, 4, Mount Mitchell, away 2yrs, not heard for 10 mths.

HAMMOND, Mary, 25, Philip St., 2, Caroline, left 3 yrs since.

HANLEY, -,[not given] Brown St., 3, [not given], in Melbourne, supposed insane.

HARRIDON, -, 37, Field St., 4, Sir Edward Parry, away c6 mths

HESLOP, -, 50, Kermode St., 6, Epaminondas,away c2 yrs.

HONDRICKSON, -, 45, Ackland St [not given] D'Auvergne, away c3 yrs, sent nothing for 2 yrs.

HOWELL, -, 30, Blyth's Buildings, Hindley St, 4, Lysander, away c20 mths.

HUTCHINS, -, 35, Field St., 8, Macedon, away c15 mths.

JAFFORD/KAFFORD - See SAFFORD

KEARNES, Julia, 27, North St., 1, Epaminondas, away c2 yrs.

LAMBLEY, -, 35, Thebarton, 5, Jos. Cripps, away c2 yrs.

McKENZIE, -, 31, Grey St., 1, James Fernie, away c2 yrs, sent £20 in all.

McKENZIE, -, 31, Bentham St., 5, Sea Queen, away over 2yrs, sent £20.

McNEILL, -, [not given] Destitute Asylum, 3, James Fernie, left them at Gilles's Plains.

MAIR, Margaret, 53, Dover Castle, 3, Circassian, husband, 2 sons away 2 yrs, sent 5 ozs of gold.

MEALEY, Elizabeth, 58, Sturt St., 3, Lord Raglan, [not given]

MELANY, -, 27, Currie St., 3, Princess Royal, away c12 mths.

MILLER, -, 35, Elizabeth St., 2, Navarino, away c12 mths.

MURNAHAN, -, 40, Weymouth St., 4, Osceola, away over 12 mths.

NAUGHTON, -, 32, Maryattville, 2, Phoebe, away c14 mths.

NORMAN, -, 19 Hindmarsh, 3, Navarino, away 12 mths.

PAGE, Jane, 37, Jerningham St., 3, Ramilies, away c2 yrs.

PETTY, -, 28, Rundle St., 4, Princess Royal, away 2 yrs.

PHILLIPS, Mary, 38, Hindmarsh, 3, Marion, left on arrival in Colony.

PRICE, Margaret, 29, Hindmarsh, 3, Lady McDonald, away since landing.

RAYNER, Mary, 38, Logan St., 2, Chatham, away c12 mths.

ROBINS, -, 25, Rundle St., 4, Brightman, away c5 mths.

ROSENTHAL, -, 28, Stepney, 2, [not given], away c18 mths.

SAFFORD, -, 21, Rosina St., 2, Charlotte Jane, away c 3yrs. [out of alphabetical order in original list, name may be JAFFORD or KAFFORD]

SAUNDERS, Esther, 37, Thebarton, 2, Constance, away c14 mths

SEARLE, Margaret, 40, Cox's Creek, 8, Prince George, eldest boy away with father.

STAPLE, Jane, 31, Thebarton, 2, Belle Alliance, away c18 mths

STOBB, -, 30, Freeman St., 2, [not given] away c20 mths.

STONE, Emily, 24, Solomon St., 1, Flora, left soon after arriving in Colony.

STRATFORD, Hannah, 30, North Adelaide, 5, Birman, absent since May 1852.

TANKIN [TONKIN?], -, 25, Destitute Asylum, - Standard, away 8 mths.

TRAINER, Esther, 35, Irish Town, 3, [not given] away about a year.

WEAR, Mary, 30, Morphett Vale, 5, Waterloo, away more than 2 yrs.

WEBBER, -, 32, Bowden, 3, Immigrant, away c18 mths.

WEBBER, M.A., 28, Sturt St., -, Telegraph, away c2 mths.

YOUNG, Margaret, [not given] Franklin St., 6, Lord Goderich, left c2 yrs since.

'Extract from the Report of the Destitute Board of South Australia: The Board reluctantly grant relief in these cases; and in order to check the evil, the enclosed return is given in detail. They consider it desirable to publish it in the local papers of Victoria, with a statement that, if the husbands do not either return or make provision for their families by the 1^st of October next, the Government will withdraw all future support.'

[Notice published at the request of the South Australian Government. The Victorian Colonial Secretary's Office requested that the Notice be displayed at post offices, police stations, court houses and other public places.]

MISCELLANEOUS WIFE, HUSBAND & CHILD DESERTERS WHOSE PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN LOCATED IN POLICE CORRESPONDENCE FILES .

(Note that this listing is only of those deserters with photographs. For details of the many who are described in the Victoria Police Gazette, see the introduction above).

ARRANGING PHOTOCOPIES OF THE FILES.

1.  Note the names, date and detail of the file, including the number of pages involved.
2.  Work out the cost of photocopying, at 65c. per page, the number of photographs to be copied, at $7 each, (including GST) as charged by the Public Record Office.  Add $AUS30 retrieval fee for each file.  (No GST charged on retrieval fee.)
3.  Either send a cheque in Australian Dollars made out to Harriland Press to P.O. Box 92, Forest Hill, Australia, 3131 or email me for details of direct debit arrangements. If  you wish to send a cheque in a foreign currency please allow  $Aust10 bank fee.  New Zealand orders are advised to email me for alternate arrangements.  4. Please include two International Reply Paid Coupons for return postage if outside Australia, (obtainable from any post office) otherwise a $1 Australian stamp.
5.  Remember to supply your own address, including if possible an email address.
6.  You will be emailed when your letter arrives and the photocopies are ordered, and again when your order has been posted to you.  Please be advised that there is currently some 7 days delay in photocopying orders at the Public Record Office. My email address is hdh1atozemail.com.au [you will need to remove the 'at' and replace with @ ]

7. Note: The Public Record Office will not allow photocopying of photographs. The minimum charge for reproduction of a photograph by the P.R.O. is $Aust 7, and there is some 2-3 weeks delay in receiving copies.

ALEXANDER, John. Printer, deserted wife Catherine c1886. In 1906 she wrote to police from Carlton, asking them to find him; she believed he had remarried and was in Tasmania. He would then be 53 yrs old. He had a brother Joseph in Melbourne. Although there was a photo on the file originally, it was returned to her after police searched unsuccessfully. Her original letter is on file tho. 9 pages, List 3.

ALLAN, James Alexander. Deserted wife Anna Dorothea Mathilde and two children Drina and Phyllis at Carlton in 1918. They were married in 1910; Phyllis born before marriage. He was 39 yrs old, a clerk in the Home Affairs Dept., but left there with Anna FLIGNER (c20 yrs) and went to Darwin. Arrested by police and extradited. Intimate personal details given. 56 pages, some duplicates, and faded photo of him.

ALLEN, Charles William. Deserted his illegitimate child Edward Thomas BRADY at Port Melbourne in 1928. He was c22 years of age. Small photo on file. 1 page only.

AMEDEE, Horace. See entry for WILLIS, Gordon.

ANDERSON, Tiny. See SALVADOR, Victor.

ARMSTRONG, Florence Ethel. See entry for GILES, George.

ARMSTRONG, Tiny. See SALVADOR, Victor.

ARNOLD, Edward. See entry for MARTIN, Edward A.

ARNOLD, William. See entry for BELL, H.

ATKINSON, Elsie. See KELSO, Lionel.

BAILEY, Charles alias WILLIAMS. Deserted wife Florence Julette Amelia Bailey at Carlton in 1918. He was 54 years of age and a spiritualist. Warrant subsequently cancelled as maintenance paid. 9 pages and postcard style photo of a number of people, possibly taken in Europe, judging by police (?) uniform.

BALLAM, Walter, or PALMER. Left for Western Australia in 1912; wife Minnie Frances Ballam suspects he intends to desert her, and that he has a woman with him. He is a carter, 33 years old. They have a 12 year old child. Photograph of him and one page.

BARKMAN, Frederick. Deserted wife Rose at Mildura in 1917. He was born in New Zealand, 29 years, a cook. 14 pages, one photo.

BARNES, Les. See STANLEY, Norman.

BAYNTON, William Thomas. Married Alicia Ellen McGINTY in 1915, then in the AIF. However he was already married, and had a wife Rosetta Lucy nee THORPE and two children in Kingston Tasmania. Arrested, he broke out of prison and escaped. In 1917 it was believed he was in New Zealand. No photograph of him, but of his two children, and copies of both marriage certificates. 22 pages.

BELL, Hepenstal Mitchell. Sought for committing a bigamous marriage. Married firstly Mathias JOHANSEN in Brisbane in 1911, then Thomas Oliver HOWELL in Seymour in 1917. She was the daughter of Ernest and Sarah Jane Bell nee OSWIN. Very complicated story. Howell in the army and sent overseas. Hepenstal's former school friend Marcella Mabel WILLIAMS of Punchbowl Sydney alerts Howell's mother in Charters Towers Qld. to her true history. She is receiving a military allowance from Howell, but living with William ARNOLD, claiming to be divorced. She had also adopted a child in the past, but gave it away after awhile. There are letters to a Mrs. HETHERINGTON of White Hills Bendigo and four photos: two of Hepenstal and Thomas, with him in military uniform, one photo of both of them in uniform, and one of her in uniform. The case was apparently never proceeded with, as it would have proved too expensive to bring witnesses interstate. 36 pages.

BENNETT, Henry. Baker at Yarrawonga, sold out in 1918 and supposed to join wife Sarah in Brunswick, but went to Sydney. 45 years of age. 14 pages, one photo.

BEST, Cynthia. See entry for ELLIOTT, Edwin F.

BLUNDELL, Miss. See STANLEY, Norman.

BOOD, Michael. See WOODS, Ellen

BOUCHER, Thomas Tyrer. Deserted wife Annabell in Richmond in 1917, aged 51 years. 2 pages and photo.

BOYD, Ivy Matilda. See entry for YOUNG, H.A.

BRADY, Edward Thomas. See ALLEN, Charles Wm

BRENNAN, Clara. See entry for YOUNG, Alexander.

BRETTAGH, John Robert. Deserted wife Daisy and five children at Ivanhoe. File covers 1917-1918 and has two photos of him, one clean shaven, one with a moustache. 56 pages. CONNECTION FOUND

BROWN, Arthur Andrew Clyde. Deserted wife Charlotte in Brunswick in 1918. Theatrical wig maker, 36 yrs. Group photo of nine adults and five children in a park. 7 pages, damaged.

BROWN, Robert. Deserted wife Stella at Mackenzie St., Melbourne in 1917. He was a motor driver and mechanic, 35 years of age. 2 pages, 3 photos, one portrait, two distant shots [faded] with group in car.

BRUCE, George. See entry for YOURELL, George.

BULLEN, Ernest. Deserted wife Rose in Richmond in 1917. He was 26 years of age. 3 pages and photo.

BURROWES, Robert Henry. See entry for NEWTON, S.

BURROWS, Mrs. Effie. See THOMAS, Thomas.

BURSTALL, Albert Ernest. Wanted for failure to pay maintenance on his two children at Carlton, 1918. 2 pages and photo.

BUTTERWORTH, Cecil. Charged with child desertion in 1915 by Miss HURLEY. Note that this is an incomplete file of 11 pages. There is no photo, but I’ve put it on this site in case the rest of the file turns up later. List 2, 11 pages.

BUTTERWORTH, Mrs. Jean of Bordertown, wrote in 1919 re her husband Arthur Henry and his failure to pay maintenance to her and their two children. He had a brother in Victoria. Not found. 10 pages and photo.

BUTTERWORTH, Robert Edmund. Deserted wife and five children in 1902 in Geelong. He was a labourer, shearer and handyman, c35 years of age, probably using name BURTON, and had run off with Mrs. Annie PHELAN and her son. Found in New Zealand and extradited. 60 pages, photo.

CADDAYE, Mrs. Rose. Wrote from Mirboo in 1908 re her husband Andrew, who uses name MAYO. He has deserted her; she had a son. Police find him interstate; he has two children by another women. Poor quality photo on file. 2 pages. List 3.

CAMERON, Gilbert. Deserted wife Annie in Bendigo in 1897. He was born in Victoria, a miner, 30 years of age, and had been working at Broken Hill, 1 page and photo.

CANVIN, Harold William of Fitzroy, wrote in 1919 re his wife Elizabeth, who had drawn money from the bank and disappeared with their three girls, Kathleen Marie, Dolly Hetty and Jeannie, aged 9, 7 and 5 years. He suspected she had run off with a cousin named Offie MARTIN. There is a photograph of the three girls, and a woman with the head cut out, but the body visible. The back of the photograph has written in pencil ' Pte. W. Canvin, 46th Battalion' and has a message to 'Daddy'. Police fail to find her. 5 pages.

CASS, Edward. Alias COSTELLO/HOWARD. See my Missing People web pages for details of this complicated case involving OSMAN, STEWART, STEANE, ASHTON, PARKER and RICHARDS.

CHANNING, Magdalene. See SMART, Ernest.

CONDON, Michael John. Deserted wife Susan in North Melbourne in 1918. A fireman on board ship, using name M.J. CRAWLEY, and was formerly in the New Zealand military. No photo, but letters from both Susan and Michael. 16 pages.

CORNISH, William James. Deserted wife Alice Valerie at Caulfield in 1930, believed to have run off with Margaret DENHAM. He was 46 yrs, English, a tramway employee. Small photo of him in tramway uniform on file. 3 pages and photo, List 2. See instructions re cost of photo.

COWARD, Harold Frederick. See Index to Criminal & Other Case Files

CRAIG, Thomas. See TEASE, William

CRAWLEY, Michael John. See CONDON, M.J.

CROSSMAN, Nurse and Herbert. See LAMBTON, James.

CROWLE, George Adolphus. Deserted wife Martha and five children in Ballarat in 1917. He was 36 years, a shearer, and was believed to have gone interstate. File covers 1917-1920 and the continued search for him. It includes a number of letters from Martha who is destitute. 96 pages, 2 photos, one in a group and one with a child.

DACRE, Ernest John alias WARD. See my Missing People website for details of this complicated case.

DALLAGLIO, Louis. Complicated story, not really a desertion, but I couldn't resist! He and his wife Florence nee McCormack were separated, and he had custody of their child Florence Mary. He left her in the care of Mrs. Rose PRIEST of Frankston and visited regularly. Joseph KANN, a soldier, kidnapped the child and returned her to her mother in 1918. Police investigate, and Louis gives them a copy of a photo his former wife Florence. 5 pages.

DAY, Francis Alfred. Deserted wife Elma May and child at Bendigo in 1918. Pastry cook, 34 yrs. 4 pages and photo of him in military uniform; photo torn at level of shoulders and cap.

DEER, Claude Emerson. Deserted wife Alice Maud at Kensington in 1912; a baker, 26 years. 26 pages, List 4.

DELLAR, Albert Claude Percival. Deserted wife Annie and two children at St. Kilda in 1917. He was c38 yrs of age. 2 pages, photo has been damaged.

DENHAM, Margaret. See CORNISH, Wm. J.

DOCHERTY, Minnie Kathleen and William. See DUBBER, Wallace.

DODSON, Walter. Deserted wife Margaret and children Walter and Veronica in Melbourne c1914. He was a coal lumper, aged 38 years. 10 pages, some damaged and photo.

DREW, Ernest Victor. Deserted wife Grace Agnes and 3 children at South Yarra in 1917. Mother Mrs. WATTS. He was aged 28 yrs. 1 page and photo.

DUBBER, Wallace. Engine driver, 44 years, deserted wife Minnie Beatrice and absconded with 17 year old Minnie Kathleen DOCHERTY or FOSS. Her father William Docherty of Horsham also lodges complaint. Photo of Minnie on file. 4 pages. CONNECTION FOUND

DUCKWORTH, James. Deserted wife Catherine in Zeehan Tasmania in 1905; were newly married. A miner, c48 yrs. File contains his letter, giving reason for leaving and asking her to follow him, and one from her to police two months later. Photo and 4 pages, List 3. CONNECTION FOUND

DUNNE, Thomas. See McFARLANE, Thomas.

DUNNING, Ina Mavis. See MILNE, Alex.

EAGLES, Harriet. See entry for HODGES, Archibald.

EBSWORTH, Frederick Edmund. Deserted Bruce FRAZER, his illegitimate child by Mary Jean FRAZER at Footscray in 1919. No photo, but letters from Mary, Frederick and his sister/brother on file. He was a clerk, c30 yrs of age. 16 pages.

ELLIOTT, Edwin Finley. Deserted wife Alice Victoria at Footscray in 1918. Plumber and tinsmith, 28 yrs. She has three children and is pregnant with a fourth. He is believed to be living interstate with Cynthia BEST. He may use the name JOURDAIN. Photo of him in evening dress, and six copies of just head and shoulders. 18 pages.

FINCH, Henry. Deserted wife Mary Elizabeth at North Melbourne in 1918. Labourer, 51 years. Warrant withdrawn. 5 pages and very dark photo of him and female child.

FLIGNER, Anna. See entry for ALLAN, James Alexander

FLORY, John Albert. Failure to pay maintenance to wife Rose Victoria nee PARKER in South Yarra in 1917. He was 32 years, a fireman on board ship, and using another name. Her father lived in London. 22 pages, 1 photo.

FORREST, Percival Albert. Son of – ROTHERHAM, and William Faithfull Forrest, who lived in the Adelong/Beechworth area, deserted wife at Katoomba in 1919. Photo of the two of them on file. 6 pages, List 3.

FOSS, Minnie Kathleen. See DUBBER, Wallace.

FRAZER, Bruce and Mary Jean. See EBSWORTH, Frederick E.

GEORGE, Irene. See entry for SEDGMAN, Claude.

GILES, George Henry. Deserted his illegitimate child by Florence Ethel ARMSTRONG in Elwood in 1917. He was a Victorian, 30 years of age and in the AIF. 2 pages and damaged photo [file pin put thru forehead]. CONNECTION FOUND

GOSS, John. Deserted wife Matilda in 1902; she divorced him in 1904, 5 pages of court papers and one photo, List 4.

GREEN, John William. Deserted wife Jessie in Collingwood in 1919, went to Sydney with Ruby POWELL, whom he then deserted. Ruby was pregnant to him and planned to return to Melbourne. Green was a former Collingwood footballer who subsequently played for Brighton. Warrant subsequently cancelled as he was returning to his wife. The photo is of a group, possibly a family. 18 pages.

GRIFFIN, William. Baker, c48 yrs, deserted his illegitimate child by Ellen MAGUIRE in 1919 at Richmond. He had adult children at Geelong. Police find he had cleared out from his family 7-8 yrs previously. One photo, 3 pages.

GUY, James. Wanted in 1928 for wife desertion on Vera Guy of Maryborough, Victoria. Chinese, 42yrs etc. 10 pages, no photograph, List 3.

HAMILTON, Frederick Moredant. Deserted wife Rosalie and children Rosalie and Ruby at Hampton in 1918. Was a saddler, aged 39 yrs. Found in Sydney and extradited. One photo and 33 pages, many of which are Court documents.

HARDY, Thomas. See TEASE, William.

HARVEY, Ina Mavis. See MILNE, Alex.

HAUGHEY, Arthur. Charged 1913, by wife Olive, with failure to pay maintenance. He was a tailor, 28yrs, used the name HOWIE. 4 pages and photo.

HAYWARD, Henry James, deserted wife Mary Jane and two children at Parkville in 1918. He was a labourer aged 38 yrs. 3 pages, one photo.

HAYCOCK, Harold. Deserted wife Kate in Richmond in 1917; English, 29 years, gripman on cable car. Subsequently found to have committed a bigamous marriage using name Harold MANTON with Annie MYERS. Annie's parents were Thomas MYERS, police constable, and Annie McINERNEY. His child Nellie [by Kate] was sent to him in South Australia, but ended up in an orphanage under the name Mary Manton. Letter from her to school friend on file, also marriage certificate. 23 pages, two photos, one with another male and one in a group.

HAZELL, Alfred John. Deserted wife Hazel Hazell in Melbourne in 1916. He was a Victorian, 26 years of age, whose mother lived in Fitzroy and aunt lived in Hurstville NSW. Their child had died in 1916. The photo was taken when he was a boy. 11 pages, one photo.

HEADEN, Thomas Henry. 35 years, a musician who appeared in vaudeville shows; known as 'Tom Hedley the Musical Mute'. Deserted wife Geta Lola and children Roy, Thelma and Dorothy at Footscray in 1915. Finally arrested in 1917. 29 pages, some of them duplicates and photo.

HETHERINGTON, - Mrs. See entry for BELL, H.

HITCHCOCK, George Frederick. Deserted his wife in Brunswick in 1904; 44 years, barman, believed to be interstate. 10 pages and a small poor quality photo, List 4.

HODGES, Archibald. Deserted his illegitimate child by Harriet EAGLES of Balaclava at Horsham in 1918, 22yrs old, returned soldier. 4 pages and photo.

HOGGARD, Thomas. See McFARLANE, Thomas.

HONEYBALL, Anna. See NORRIS, Clive L.

HOWARD, John Charles. Baker, 34 years, deserted wife Bertha at Hawthorn in 1917. One page, torn, and photo.

HOWELL, Thomas Oliver. See entry for BELL, H.

HOWIE, Arthur. See HAUGHEY, Arthur.

HURLEY, Miss. See BUTTERWORTH, Cecil.

JENKINS, John Stewart. Deserted wife Margaret at Yarraville, 1897. He was born in Victoria and aged 25 years. 1 page and photo.

JOHANSEN, Mathias. See entry for BELL, H.

JOURDAIN. See entry for ELLIOTT, Edwin F.

KANN, Joseph. See entry for DALLAGLIO, Louis.

KELLETT, David Joseph. Deserted wife Harriette at Collingwood in 1918. A bootmaker, 36-38 years old, his mother lived at Collingwood, his sister was Mrs. OHLSEN. Harriette's letter on file. 12 pages and photo.

KELSO, Lionel Charles. Deserted wife Ruby Clarice at Fitzroy in 1919. He was a vaudeville artist, c28 yrs. Elsie ATKINSON was enticed away by him previously. 17 pages, including two letters from him and photo. CONNECTION FOUND

KERCHEVAL, Mrs. See READ, Gilbert F.

KING, Walter Henry. A butcher, 37 years old, deserted his wife Ellie and four children at Footscray in 1919. Two small photos on file, one with his face in shadow. 8 pages, including a letter from him in Sydney.

LAHEY, Thomas Herbert. Born Tasmania, a carter/driver, c30 years of age, deserted wife Matilda Emma in 1917 in Tasmania. Arrested in Melbourne. 10 pages and photo.

LAMBTON, James Arthur. Deserted wife Lucretia and three children at Yalca near Nathalia in 1919. Formerly a school teacher, was a captain in the army. Believed to be with Nurse CROSSMAN in New Zealand. Her brother was Herbert Crossman of Quirindi. No photo, but letter from wife. 36 pages.

LAURIE, Rosaline. See entry for PORTEOUS, Henry.

LAVELLE, Mrs. Emma. See NORRIS, Clive L.

LAYTON, May. See entry for NELSON, L.W.

LE FEVRE, William. Deserted wife Amy at Abbotsford, 1917. A labourer, 34 years. She later receives a letter from him on Flinders Island, stating he is returning. 2 photos.

LEONARD, Claude. See entry for SEDGMAN, Claude.

LEVAUX, Aubrey. See entry for WALLACE, Percy.

LIVERSIDGE, Rosaline. See entry for PORTEOUS, Henry.

LOXLEY, -. See McFARLANE, Thomas.

LYON, Thomas Henry. Born England, wharf labourer, 28 years; married Mary Jane c.1916 at Shepparton. They came to Melbourne, but he was a drunkard and a gambler and deserted her in 1918. 3 pages and photo.

McCARTHY, Violet Esther. Took her two children, Thelma, 5 yrs and Kenneth, 4yrs, and left her husband and home in Richmond in 1918. 1 page and photo.

McDONALD, Duncan William. Deserted wife Lillie and four children at Carlton, 1908. Is 39 years old, an ex police constable, employed on railways at Perth, believed living with Mrs. Jessie HILL. No photograph, but letter from him claiming his wife is a drunkard and offering to pay fares for children to join him there; one child has died. File covers 1908-09 and is 32 pages. List 2.

McFARLANE, Thomas alias DUNNE alias HOGGARD alias SLOANE. Deserted wife Mary and four children at Burramine in 1904; found in Forbes living with woman LOXLEY, and promises to pay maintenance, but clears out. Found in 1909 in gaol in NSW, but not extradited to Victoria, as wife is found to have had an illegitimate child to his brother, who had also deserted her. Large file covers 1904-1909 and includes a photo of him. List 2.

McGINTY, Alicia Ellen. See entry for BAYNTON, W.

MacGRUER, William Edward Deserted wife May and child at Sunshine, 1928. He was Scotch, 30yrs of age, a fitter and turner. Photo of a couple on file, and 2 pages. List 3.

McINERNEY, Annie. See entry for HAYCOCK, Harold.

MacKENZIE, John Archibald. Born London, a clerk, 30 years of age, deserted wife Louisa Mary in North Melbourne in 1917. 3 pages. Photo in military uniform and very dark, may not reproduce well.

McKENZIE, William. Deserted illegitimate child Mavis Lloyd SPICE (mother Ruby May SPICE) at Kensington in 1918. Had been employed in Sunshine quarry, was c30 years. 4 pages and photo.

MAGUIRE, Ellen. See GRIFFIN, William.

MANTON, Harold. See entry for HAYCOCK, Harold.

MARTIN, Edward Arnold also known as Edward ARNOLD, deserted wife Mary Victoria and child at East Brunswick in 1928. He was an accountant, 30 yrs of age. 8 pages and photo of family group on verandah. List 3.

MARTIN, Offie. See entry for CANVIN, H.W.

MEIRS, Mrs. See entry for SEDGMAN, Claude.

MEYERS, George. Deserted wife Marion and child at Moonee Ponds in 1914. He was a labourer, 32 years, formerly worked in a tobacco factory. 6 pages, photo of a group of men, possibly at factory.

MILBOURNE, William. Returned soldier, No. 663 of 24^th Battalion, deserted wife Elsie in 1920. Found interstate and extradited. Two photos, one small one of head and shoulders, one larger shot of whole body; both in uniform.

MILNE, Alexander Kenneth Claude. Wife Olive Powell nee SCROOP charges him with wife desertion and bigamy. They were married in 1926 in South Australia, and he has subsequently married Ina Mavis DUNNING nee HARVEY in Victoria in 1928, and had a daughter by her. He is 28 years of age, an engineer and returned soldier. Police ascertain that there was an earlier marriage to Virginia Olive PIKE. Photo of him in evening dress with medals on his chest. 27 pages. CONNECTION FOUND

MOCKRIDGE, Albert Thomas. Deserted wife Iris and four children in Carlton in 1914. He was a lithographic artist and stage singer and believed to have gone to Sydney on his way overseas. 2 photos, 9 pages. CONNECTION FOUND

MUSGROVE, Henry W. Deserted wife at Richmond in 1910, supposed living with prostitute Alice HALLAM. Photo of him.

MURPHY, Bridget and Thomas. See entry Index to Criminal & Other Case Files

MYERS, Thomas. See entry for HAYCOCK, Harold.

NELSON, Lewis William. Deserted wife Fanny Elizabeth at Geelong in 1917. He was a drover, 33 years old, believed to be in Melbourne with a young woman, May LAYTON. Wife and three children penniless. Photo of Nelson and Layton on file. 14 pages.

NEWTON, Samuel James. Deserted wife in Richmond in 1919. His father in law Robert Henry BURROWES writes to the police department, asking if Stephen Newton, recently committed for trial in NSW for murder, is the same person. Police advise it is not. Photo of Samuel in soldier's uniform. 4 pages. CONNECTION FOUND

NICHOLSON, Samuel alias STOREY. Warrant issued for wife desertion in 1918. He was then 33 years old, occupation given as engineer (later altered to bricklayer) wife's name was Mary and son Frank Police subsequently discovered he had enlisted under the name of Nicholson, and his military papers show a wife and two children at Katoomba. He was arrested in Sydney and extradited to Melbourne 1920. There are two very poor quality photos of him; one a distant shot with a group of males, the other has a smudge over his face. (I really don't think they're worth purchasing). In all there are 31 pages detailing the police investigation.

NORMAN, John Leonard. Deserted wife Janet and infant son in 1918. He was a gripman at Prahran, his parents lived at Horsham. No photo but interesting letter from her. 9 pages, List 3.

NORRIS, Clive Lyell. Deserted wife Annie and three children at Colbrook near Ballan in 1919. Annie had relatives named McKenzie. He was a sawmill hand, 25yrs, known as Jack. They formerly lived at Warburton. Letter from Anna HONEYBALL on file, one of his lady friends. Mrs. Emma LAVELLE 'recently in divorce court' another of his friends. Photo of him as one of a group of employees of Walker's sawmill near Warburton, and a separate photo just of him. 26 pages CONNECTION FOUND

ODGERS, Shirley and Marjorie Jean. See entry for YOURELL, George.

O’MULLANE, David William alias Darkie WILSON. Deserted wife Min and two children at South Melbourne prior to 1919. She asks police to find him, and encloses his letter (in faint pencil) from Winton Station, where he claims to be dying, but this is untrue. No photo, but file is interesting. 6 pages, List 3.

O'NEILL, John Joseph. Deserted wife Claudine and child in South Melbourne in 1917. He was 37 years old, and his brother in law lived at Casino NSW. 6 pages, small photo of him in military uniform.

OSWIN, Sarah Jane. See entry for BELL, H.

PALMER, Walter. See BALLAM, Walter.

PARKER, Albert Edward. 31 years of age, wife Viola in Carlton, 1917. 1 page and photo.

PASSEY, Sidney Edward. Deserted wife Winifred Elizabeth Ann and child in Essendon in 1928. 28 years of age. Small photo of him with woman and baby. 5 pages.

PENDLETON, George H. Eva WEBBER of Nairne South Australia, wrote in 1920. She had been keeping company with Pendleton, an Anzac boy, for over three years. He returned to Victoria to fix his late mother's estate. Police find him in Geelong with a wife and family; Eva informed. Photo of him in uniform on file. 8 pages. CONNECTION FOUND

PHELAN, Mrs. Annie. See entry for BUTTERWORTH, R.

PHILLIPS, Mrs. E. of Peak Hill N.S.W., wrote in 1920 re her husband James. She has taken out a warrant for wife desertion; they have four children. He left with a dramatic company and was last heard of at Glenrowan; aged 42 years. He had a tattoo to his sister Florrie. Not found. 11 pages plus photo. CONNECTION FOUND

PIELER, Charles William A. Deserted wife Etta at Carlton in 1918. Laborer, 42 yrs, naturalised German. 2 pages and photo.

PIKE, Virginia Olive. See MILNE, Alex.

PLATON, John or Stavros. Deserted wife Ila and children at Carlton in 1917, and was believed to be in Port Pirie. He was Greek, 32 years, a chef. 6 pages and photo of him with two women and a child.

PORTEOUS, Henry John. Deserted wife Eva and child Helen Emily in Brunswick in 1917, and ran off with Mrs. Rosaline LIVERSIDGE. He was a signwriter whose parents lived in Paddington. He was extradited from Sydney and gaoled but then disappeared again. Rosaline then used the name Miss LAURIE. 52 pages, some damaged. 4 photos; two different portraits of him, one in a group, including two children, in bathing costume, and one of a group of three women, one of whom was Rosaline Liversidge.

POWELL, Ruby. See entry for GREEN, John W.

PRIEST, Rose. See entry for DALLAGLIO, Louis.

READ, Gilbert Francis. Deserted wife Ellen at Warburton in 1919, believed heading for Thursday Island with Mrs. KERCHEVAL. 36 yrs of age. Note that there are 3 envelopes, but the photos have been taken out, so not on file. 23 pages.

REILLY, Marius Victor. Deserted wife Elizabeth Pernell Jane Reilly and two children at Ararat in 1918. He was a clerk, 31 yrs of age. Photo of him in uniform, letters from her. Found interstate and extradited. 45 pages.

ROBINSON, Albert Ernest. Deserted wife Margaret and three children at Ballarat in 1918. He was born Morrisons, was 43 years old and an engine driver. They had separated 7 years previously and he had paid maintenance until 1918. 3 pages, one photo.

ROSEMAN, John Patrick. Deserted wife Ellen and child at Collingwood in 1919. Bootmaker, 30 yrs. One page and photo of a couple.

ROSS, James. Deserted wife Bertha Eliza and their five children at Footscray in 1919. He was a cook, 61 years old. A poor quality coloured photo of the family group is on the file. 2 pages.

RUSTON, Robert William. Deserted wife Annie Searle Ruston in Collingwood in 1918. He was 31 years, a box maker and believed to be in Brisbane. 13 pages and photo.

SALVADOR, Victor. Deserted his wife in Richmond in 1912. She suspects he has gone to Tasmania and is using the name ARMSTRONG. He used to play football under the name Tiny ANDERSON. Small photo in football gear. Found. 6 pages.

SCOTT, Ruby. See STANLEY, Norman.

SCROOP, Olive Powell. See MILNE, Alex.

SEDGMAN, Claude W. alias LEONARD. Returned soldier. In 1916 left wife Vera and went to Adelaide to work as a driver. Vera went to live with her mother Mrs. MEIRS in Melbourne. In 1918 she discovered that he had gone to W. Australia with Irene GEORGE of Adelaide. File contains two photos of him, one faded, and one photo of Irene George, plus a letter from Irene's mother. 26 pages.

SHARPE, William John. Deserted wife Kathleen at Fitzroy in 1919. Former soldier, was a wool scourer, 28yrs. 3 pages and one tiny faded photo.

SHORT, Norman Castlemaine. Deserted wife Eva Jane at Colac in 1918. A mechanic, c32 years old. 13 pages, one photo.

SLOANE, Thomas. See McFARLANE, Thomas.

SMART, Ernest. Deserted wife Mary and four children at Stawell in 1918, and believed to have run off with Mrs. Magdalen CHANNING, a soldier's wife, and her five children. Bootmaker, born Maryborough, 32 years of age. Found interstate. 26 pages and photo of him and two children.

SMITH, Sydney. Wife took him to court in Bunbury WA in 1912 and obtained a separation and maintenance order, but he has not kept up the payments. His brother Henry was licensee of a hotel in South Melbourne, and his mother lives in the same suburb. His sister was Mrs. Pinnock. Sydney was c38 years of age and a timber worker. Photo of him and unnamed child taken 12 years ago. 8 pages.

SPICE, Mavis Lloyd and Ruby May. See entry for McKENZIE, William.

SPILLER, Herbert. Deserted wife Agnes in Coburg in 1918. He was c34 years, a gas fitter and his mother lived in Adelaide. 2 photos and 6 pages.

SPLATT, Florence A., wrote in 1911 from Albury re her husband Colin, who was 51 years old and addicted to drink. He left a station property in NSW some months before, formerly lived in St. Kilda. His brother Alexander is also a drinker. Not found. 12 pages and photo.

STANLEY, Norman, known as Les BARNES. Deserted wife Daisy Stanley at Richmond in 1919. He was a labourer, 25yrs of age, kept company with Miss Ruby SCOTT and Miss BLUNDELL. 2 pages, one photo.

STOREY, Samuel. See NICHOLSON, S.

TAYLOR, Ephraim, native of Hamilton, wheelwright, c25 years. Charged in 1893 with disobeying an order of the Portland Bench, with regard to his wife Fanny; residence Dunkeld. 2 pages and photo.

TEASE, William. Deserted wife Grace at Richmond in 1904; a cook/shearer, 36 years, used aliases of Thomas HARDY and Thomas CRAIG, 25 pages and one photo, List 4.

THOMAS, Thomas. Miner, c30 yrs, living at Broken Hill in 1920. Failure to pay maintenance on illegitimate child of Effie WRIGHT, now Mrs. BURROWS, of Stawell. She has had 3 illegitimate children, and the other fathers pay maintenance. 7 pages, no photo, but file incomplete. List 3.

THORPE, Rosetta. See entry for BAYNTON, W.

TORNEY, Samuel. Returned soldier, c40 yrs of age, wanted in 1928 for failure to comply with a court order to maintain his wife Agnes Elizabeth of Stawell. No photo. 4 pages, List 3.

TOWT, Douglas Stanley. Deserted wife Eileen and children at Burnley in 1919. He was a station manager and cattle dealer, 29yrs of age, parents lived at Surrey Hills. 2 pages and photo in poor condition.

VICKERS, Charles Edward. Deserted wife Katherine and two children at Fitzroy in 1917. He was a farm labourer, 40 years of age and she was now absolutely penniless and dependant on her mother. 1 page and photo.

WALLACE, Harold Charles.  Deserted wife Iris Selina at Bendigo in 1919. Returned soldier, 27yrs. 8 pages and photo.

WALLACE, Percy. Wrote a number of letters from Sydney in 1911 re his wife Lily and son Ronnie, 3 yrs, missing since October 1910. Sydney police state he is aware that she has run off with Aubrey LEVAUX and is trying to get the police to find them under the guise of a Missing Friends enquiry. Photo of wife and child on file. 21 pages, some in pencil.

WALSH, James. Deserted wife Elizabeth Mary at Brunswick in 1917; he was 22 years old, a boot factory employee. 4 pages and photo.

WARD, Ernest J. See DACRE, Ernest J.

WATTS, Mrs. See DREW, Ernest V.

WATTS, Harriet Rebecca. See WHITE, John.

WEBBER, Eva. See PENDLETON, G.H.

WESTGATE, Arthur Albert Henry. Deserted wife Margaret in Brisbane, 1918. Was released from Melbourne gaol, joined her and their two children for ten days, infected her with venereal disease, then deserted, taking her jewellery with him. Group photo of men in naval uniform. 10 pages.

WHITE, John. Deserted illegitimate child by Harriet Rebecca WATTS at Fitzroy in 1918, believed to be in Cairns Qld. He was a letter carrier or labourer, 22 years of age, with an aunt Mrs. Robertson in Elsternwick. Found, but Harriet can't afford extradition costs and government won't pay. 15 pages and faded photo of 4 men.

WHITE, Richard. See Index to Criminal & Other Case Files

WICKHAM, Roland Romey. Deserted wife Amelia Mary and two year old child at Fitzroy in 1918. He has a sister named Flora. 2 pages and photo.

WILLIAMS, Charles. See BAILEY, Charles.

WILLIAMS, Marcella Mabel. See entry for BELL, H .

WILLIS, Gordon. Deserted his illegitimate child Horace Arthur AMEDEE in Mackay Qld in 193. A saddler, c25 years old; found in Victoria. 10 pages and photo.

WILSON, Darkie. See O’MULLANE, David Wm.

WONNACOTT, John Whitehead. Deserted wife in 1919 at St. Kilda. He was a tailor's cutter, 51 yrs old. Letters from both her and him on file, but no photo. 18 pages.

WOODS, Ellen. Wrote from Learmonth in 1904 re Michael BOOD, the father of her illegitimate child, who refuses to pay maintenance. Police find he is married and has a child. Very faded photo on file, seems more like a sketch, 18 pages, List 3

YOUNG, Alexander. Deserted his illegitimate child by Clara BRENNAN in Port Melbourne in 1917. He was a returned soldier, c42 years. 3 pages and photo.

YOUNG, H.A. wrote from Ashfield New South Wales in 1913 re his wife Ivy Matilda nee Boyd, who left him the previous year. She was a good business woman. He enclosed a number of photographs, but all have faded so much as to be useless, except one, which is damaged but legible. 8 pages.

YOURELL, George. Deserted illegitimate child Marjorie Jean ODGERS, (mother Shirley) at Prahran in 1918. He was 21 yrs of age, believed to be in N.S.W. and using name BRUCE. Warrant cancelled 1922. 21 pages and photo.

Site last uploaded 31 May 2008

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