Wakefield Express WW1 – widow’s complaint of cruelty

Another extract from the pages of the Wakefield Express for the Great War period, this time from the West Riding Court, 24th of August 1918:

A soldier’s widows unhappy marriage – William  Dallow(?), miner, Methley, a discharged soldier with two wound stripes, was summoned by his wife for persistent cruelty. – Mr. Benson Bailey, of Leeds, who prosecuted, stated that the applicant formerly lived at Rawdon, and when she met the defendant she was a soldier’s widow, with three children, her husband having been killed in July 7th 1916. Complainant and defendant were married on December 22nd 1916, and Mr. Bailey suggested that defendant married this woman in order that he could get the money she had received from the Government in respect of the death of her first husband. Owing to defendant’s assaults and threats complainant was compelled to leave him on August 8th. – Complainant said defendant was not only unkind to her, but he was unkind to the children.  He wanted her first husband’s medal, and when she would not give him it he struck her.  Defendant had a pension of 11/- a week, and he was also working as a miner. – Evidence was given by two neighbours and P. S. Pearson.  The sergeant said the parties appeared to have lived unhappily.  Defendant admitted to him that he had struck his wife and that he was sorry for what he had done. – Defendant denied ill-using his wife. – The Bench granted complainant a separation order, and defendant was ordered to pay her 15/- a week. He had also £2 4s costs to pay.

Scanned Yorkshire map

 I have been looking for a William Dallow in and around the Methley area and in Army records as we have been told he was in receipt of a pension of 11/- per week. The newspaper does not give the name of his wife, so she remains a mystery.

A look through the G.R.O and a search of Freebmd sheds not even a faint glimmer of light on who William was, even his date of marriage is known.

Have I read the newspaper article correctly when transcribing his name? Probably not!  There is a black line through his name due to photocopying directly from microfilm, making some of the letters a matter of chance. The only chance in this case was his name.

Do you know who William is?  Do you know his wife’s name and the name of her first husband? If you do know, why not let me know!