A TRAGIC STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 122, 22 May 1920, Page 12

A TRAGIC STORY.

STOLE HIS SOLDIER BROTHER'S WIFE. SAD RECITAL IN COURT. A tragic story of a soldier, who returned from the front to find his wife living in adultery with his own brother, was unfolded by George Charles Clapperton (Mr. W. Perry), before his Honor Sir John Salmond, at the Supreme Court, in divorce, at Wellington, on Thursday, in support of a petition for a dissolution of his marriage with Emily M. Clapperton. The petitioner deposed that he married the respondent at Wellington in 1915, and that in the interval from that date to March 2, 1918,' when he left for the front, two children were born. At that time his brother was also on active service. When deponent returned on March 6 of the present year, he was met on the wharf by the respondent and the aforementioned brother, the whole party repairing to his sister's residence. Two or three hours later his wife and the co-respondent left for Khandallah, to which place he (witness) went two days afterwards. There he found his wife living with his brother, and a strange baby, of whom, according to the respondent his brother was the father. The child only lived two weeks after his return. While he was at the war he allowed his wife 4/ per diem, and she had also drawn separation and the children's allowances.

A decree nisi, to be moved absolute at the expiration of three months, was granted.