Gunner R.A. Posted 21 July , 2017 Share Posted 21 July , 2017 Just wondered if anyone could help me with the following, I am presently looking at Sergeant Walter Lee who was KIA on the 8th of August 1916 whilst serving with the 51st Battalion, A.I.F. I am trying to locate the date of his marriage and the surname of his wife. His service record has an annotation in red ink, stating his wife’s name was Florence Kate Lee, so I presume he was married after he enlisted which was on the 13th of January 1915 at Perth, Western Australia. He left Australia on-board HMAT Argyllshire on the 19th of April 1915, so if I am correct there is only a short window of opportunity. The problem is I cannot find the marriage on Ancestry, and was wondering if anyone from Australia could shed some light regarding this marriage? Any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated, Kind regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFBSM Posted 21 July , 2017 Share Posted 21 July , 2017 I have just searched the online records on the WA Department of Justice site (http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/default.aspx) and have been unable to find anything there. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rksimpson Posted 21 July , 2017 Share Posted 21 July , 2017 (edited) HI Peter Nothing here either - http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx Thinking outside the box, is it possible he married somewhere else, his wife was living there, when he signed up he put his mum, but then his wife moved to WA, and he changed it?? regards Robert PS beat me by that much!!!! Edited 21 July , 2017 by rksimpson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 21 July , 2017 Share Posted 21 July , 2017 Hello Peter, This might not be relevant, but Findmypast has a record {basic details only} showing that Florence K. Lee married James Steer in Sydney in 1919. There is a good chance this was Walter's widow. Regards, Alf McM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 22 July , 2017 Share Posted 22 July , 2017 Hmmm….could it be that they never legally married! The following is all I was able to find – perhaps it might give you a few more leads…. LEE, Walter – Sgt 1790, 11th Bn / 51st Bn https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8195286 Enlisted 18/1/1915 (single) – KIA 15/8/1916 France Born c1888 Yorkshire Religion: Methodist Occupation: Fitter Wife: Florence Kate Lee, address 29/6/1917: C/- Central Methodist Mission, Perth She was listed as his wife on the embarkation roll 19/4/1915 – their address at time: 90 Wittenoom St, East Perth, WA [No official record, or mention of the actual marriage found anywhere] Extract from Red Cross Wounded & Missing file: “He was a great friend of mine and I have already sent this information to his wife who is now staying with Lee’s people in Norfolk. Sgt Lee used to be a Non-conformist Minister at Harvey, W. Australia.” L/Cpl E.M. Grime, 3346 (Jan 31, 1917) Southern Times (Bunbury, WA), Sat 15 Nov 1913 (p.4): Personal We have pleasure in announcing the engagement of Miss Flossie Sutton, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs W.J. Sutton, of “Jardup”, Harvey, to the Rev. Walter Lee, in charge of the Harvey Methodist Circuit. Southern Times (Bunbury, WA), Sat 19 Sept 1914 (p.2): News and Notes Patriotism – The Patriotism of the ministers of the Methodist Church may be seen in the fact that three of their number are leaving Australia for the war having enlisted in the ranks of the privates. The last to date to do this is the Rev Walter Lee of Harvey. He has resigned his pastorate which will be now undertaken by the Rev. Mr Lindup late of England. The Murchison Times and……….. (Cue, WA), Wed 23 Jun 1915 (p.3): EX-CUEITE AT THE FRONT …………………………………………………………………… Mr Wilson has also received a letter from Mr Walter Lee, who was at Cue for some [time] as a missionary in charge of the Cue Methodist Circuit. He volunteered for active service from Harvey, and is now at the front. Southern Times (Bunbury, WA), Sat 30 Sept 1916 (p.5): Free Church Notes News has been received from the front that Mr Walter Lee, late Home Mission of the Harvey Methodist Church, is missing. His splendid courage and soldierly qualities won for him the rank of sergeant. The Daily News (Perth, WA), Sat 30 Sept 1916 (p.12): MILITARY INQUIRY MISSING NEXT OF KIN The military authorities are anxious to trace the next of kin of a Number 1790 Sergt W. Lee, 51st (late 11th) Battalion, given as the wife, Mrs F.K. Lee, of 90 Wittenoom-street, East Perth. The West Australian (Perth, WA), Wed 15 Aug 1917 (p.1): IN MEMORIAM Anzac Heroes LEE – In proud and loving memory of Walter Lee (late of Harvey), 51st Battalion, formerly 11th, who made the last great sacrifice on the battlefields of France, August 15, 1916. – Inserted by one who loved him. Florence Kate Sutton born 1892 Mandurah, WA – daughter of William John Sutton & Florence Cecilia Logue Flossie still referred to as single in Feb 1916: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/80889080 Listed on the electoral rolls as a spinster living with her parents from 1915 to 1925 Florence Kate Sutton married Edward Dowell Eames 1926 WA She was still living Harvey in 1968 Died 1969 WA Her father’s Obit 1936: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149624218 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner R.A. Posted 22 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 22 July , 2017 13 hours ago, BFBSM said: I have just searched the online records on the WA Department of Justice site (http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/default.aspx) and have been unable to find anything there. Mark Thanks for carrying out the search Mark, its appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner R.A. Posted 22 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 22 July , 2017 13 hours ago, rksimpson said: HI Peter Nothing here either - http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx Thinking outside the box, is it possible he married somewhere else, his wife was living there, when he signed up he put his mum, but then his wife moved to WA, and he changed it?? regards Robert PS beat me by that much!!!! Thanks for the search, i suppose it is possible, all a bit of a mystery Robert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner R.A. Posted 22 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 22 July , 2017 11 hours ago, alf mcm said: Hello Peter, This might not be relevant, but Findmypast has a record {basic details only} showing that Florence K. Lee married James Steer in Sydney in 1919. There is a good chance this was Walter's widow. Regards, Alf McM Thanks Alf, i had not seen that, and yes a good chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rksimpson Posted 22 July , 2017 Share Posted 22 July , 2017 Well done Frev, I think you have found the reason, great work. regards Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner R.A. Posted 22 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 22 July , 2017 2 hours ago, frev said: Hmmm….could it be that they never legally married! The following is all I was able to find – perhaps it might give you a few more leads…. LEE, Walter – Sgt 1790, 11th Bn / 51st Bn https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8195286 Enlisted 18/1/1915 (single) – KIA 15/8/1916 France Born c1888 Yorkshire Religion: Methodist Occupation: Fitter Wife: Florence Kate Lee, address 29/6/1917: C/- Central Methodist Mission, Perth She was listed as his wife on the embarkation roll 19/4/1915 – their address at time: 90 Wittenoom St, East Perth, WA [No official record, or mention of the actual marriage found anywhere] Extract from Red Cross Wounded & Missing file: “He was a great friend of mine and I have already sent this information to his wife who is now staying with Lee’s people in Norfolk. Sgt Lee used to be a Non-conformist Minister at Harvey, W. Australia.” L/Cpl E.M. Grime, 3346 (Jan 31, 1917) Southern Times (Bunbury, WA), Sat 15 Nov 1913 (p.4): Personal We have pleasure in announcing the engagement of Miss Flossie Sutton, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs W.J. Sutton, of “Jardup”, Harvey, to the Rev. Walter Lee, in charge of the Harvey Methodist Circuit. Southern Times (Bunbury, WA), Sat 19 Sept 1914 (p.2): News and Notes Patriotism – The Patriotism of the ministers of the Methodist Church may be seen in the fact that three of their number are leaving Australia for the war having enlisted in the ranks of the privates. The last to date to do this is the Rev Walter Lee of Harvey. He has resigned his pastorate which will be now undertaken by the Rev. Mr Lindup late of England. The Murchison Times and……….. (Cue, WA), Wed 23 Jun 1915 (p.3): EX-CUEITE AT THE FRONT …………………………………………………………………… Mr Wilson has also received a letter from Mr Walter Lee, who was at Cue for some [time] as a missionary in charge of the Cue Methodist Circuit. He volunteered for active service from Harvey, and is now at the front. Southern Times (Bunbury, WA), Sat 30 Sept 1916 (p.5): Free Church Notes News has been received from the front that Mr Walter Lee, late Home Mission of the Harvey Methodist Church, is missing. His splendid courage and soldierly qualities won for him the rank of sergeant. The Daily News (Perth, WA), Sat 30 Sept 1916 (p.12): MILITARY INQUIRY MISSING NEXT OF KIN The military authorities are anxious to trace the next of kin of a Number 1790 Sergt W. Lee, 51st (late 11th) Battalion, given as the wife, Mrs F.K. Lee, of 90 Wittenoom-street, East Perth. The West Australian (Perth, WA), Wed 15 Aug 1917 (p.1): IN MEMORIAM Anzac Heroes LEE – In proud and loving memory of Walter Lee (late of Harvey), 51st Battalion, formerly 11th, who made the last great sacrifice on the battlefields of France, August 15, 1916. – Inserted by one who loved him. Florence Kate Sutton born 1892 Mandurah, WA – daughter of William John Sutton & Florence Cecilia Logue Flossie still referred to as single in Feb 1916: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/80889080 Listed on the electoral rolls as a spinster living with her parents from 1915 to 1925 Florence Kate Sutton married Edward Dowell Eames 1926 WA She was still living Harvey in 1968 Died 1969 WA Her father’s Obit 1936: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149624218 Hello Frev, Thanks for taking the time to do all those searches, you have found some interesting information, it really is appreciated. I have to be honest though, I still don’t know what to make of it, is it possible that they were not legally married? Frev, can anyone search the Southern Times? I ask because Walter Lee’s remains were finally recovered (prior to 1923) and I was wondering if this might have gotten a mention, probably a real longshot that though. Just one other question, was the Southern Times the “local” newspaper for Harvey (WA)? And did this or any other newspaper regularly print photographs of any of those soldiers who were killed/wounded etc.? Thanks once again for all you help, it really is appreciated, Kind regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 25 July , 2017 Share Posted 25 July , 2017 Hi Peter As far as the marriage goes, it doesn't appear to have gone ahead (legally) based on the info found so far - but who knows.... The Southern Times was produced in Bunbury, which is not too far from Harvey (check google maps) - but it has only been digitized up to 1916. Many of the newspapers printed photos of soldiers (this is hit and miss), and I couldn't find one for Walter. You can search all the Australian papers that have been digitized here: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ Might also be worth checking any Yorkshire papers too. Best of luck with your search, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner R.A. Posted 25 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 25 July , 2017 5 hours ago, frev said: Hi Peter As far as the marriage goes, it doesn't appear to have gone ahead (legally) based on the info found so far - but who knows.... The Southern Times was produced in Bunbury, which is not too far from Harvey (check google maps) - but it has only been digitized up to 1916. Many of the newspapers printed photos of soldiers (this is hit and miss), and I couldn't find one for Walter. You can search all the Australian papers that have been digitized here: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ Might also be worth checking any Yorkshire papers too. Best of luck with your search, Frev Cheers Frev, i really appreciate all your help/advice. Pity about the Southern Times only going as far as 1916. I spent several months trawling our local newspaper and unfortunately there was no picture of Walter published as far as i could see. I have contacted Harvey History Online and they are trying to help, they are also baffled by the marriage though. Once again thanks for all your help, kind regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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