Dead Man’s Return.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1922, Page 4

Dead Man’s Return.

LONDON, Nov 4. A. ‘‘dead” husband ,Mi J Thomas Rees ( Williams, a draper’s assistant of Aberavon, Cardiff who returned from the war to find that his wife had married again, was granted a decree nisi by Mr Justice Hill in the Divorce Court yesterday. ■Mr Williams alleged the misconduct of his wife witfc Colonel Douglas Sapte, the second “husband,” upon whom, said Mr Justice Hill, there was no imputation. Mr Beddington, for Mr Williams, said that the adultery, so far as Colonel Sapte was concerned, was innocent adultery, he'having gone through the marriage ceremony with Mrs Williams 1 after hearing that her husband was dead. Mr T. Bucknil, for Colonel Sapte, said that his client had obtained a decree of nullity, and Mr Beddington added that it was quite clear that Colonel Sapte believed Mr Williams was dead.

A letter written by Mrs Williams to Colonel Safftc on December 21st, 1917 was read :

My dearest friend.—lt is perhaps a wee bit early to get married, hut there are heaps of things T should like' to tqll you about, dear. Let ns wait till the end of January or as soon as you get another leave, but do come up. Dear, —I am yours from now, for good and all, and happy I am to be. I don’t want anyone else now. Not that I have really cared for anyone, but T, am so glad to know T really belong to you. . . This has al- ; ways bhcH my one wish, but I never thought I slufuld be your wife. I will, of course, make quite sure of Tommy’s death, but I know now it is quite official. With heaps of kisses and all my love, ever your own Billickins. Mr Williams, in evidence, said lie joined the London Regiment in December, 191(3 and was billeted at Elmgrovo road, Barnes, where he met his wife, then Emily Isabella Shepherd. They were married in April 1916. In the following June he went to France and from France to Salonika and Palestine, corresponding with his wife all the time. On November 17th, 1917, he was slightly wounded and this was reported, as far as he knew. Subsequently he came home and found his wife had gone through a ceremony of marriage with Colonel Sapte.