Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 11 February 1919

The Olive Branch.

An opportunity for reconciliation was afforded to Fred Foster, of Swinton, charged at Rotherham, yesterday, with deserting his wife Gertrude.

Defendant was a discharged soldier, and on leaving the Army last year went to lodge with the complainant’s parents. He married the complainant in February, 1918.

In her evidence complainant said defendant had assaulted her on several occasions. About five weeks after marriage he seized her by the throat and tried to throw her into the canal at Swinton. On October 27, as she was coming away from the Mexbro’ Hippodrome, she saw him going along towards the canal with his arm round another woman.

Witness spoke to him, and he abused her.

She alleged he had been intriguing with this woman, who had since committed suicide.

On November 2 he packed up his box and left home, saying he was not going to live with her any longer.

Defendant alleged he had been ordered out by complainant’s father, He was now willing to provide a home.

The Bench adjourned the hearing