On This Day, 7 March 1917

Evening Despatch

Wednesday 7 March 1917

MISSING MAN MARRIED.

SOLDIER’S MOTHER SENT TO PRISON FOR FRAUD.

Observing that it was a bad case, the Birmingham Stipendiary to-day sentenced Elizabeth Edwards, aged 47, 34, Birchall-street to two months’ imprisonment for having obtained £8 2s. by false pretences. Mr. Willes, who prosecuted, explained that the accused’s son, Private Thomas Edwards, was reported be missing in 1914. Nevertheless, he was married at St. Thomas’s Church on 10 June, 1916. In November 1914, prisoner was allotted a dependants allowance of 4s. 6d. week, and continued to draw it until 13 February this year. On 15 December, 1916, Private Edwards’s parents received a notification of his death, it being presumed that he was killed on the day of his disappearance in 1914. Prisoner knew that her son was alive in June, 1916, because she was present at the wedding. However, in January this year she wrote to the military authorities asking for continuance of the allowance, and received a form, which she filled up, claiming a gratuity or a pension. She forwarded the official notification of her son’s death, and a pathetic letter in which she said that she had been greatly upset the news.

Information came to the police concerning the son, who had deserted. He joined another regiment, but was discharged. When Mrs. Edwards went to the Bathrow Post Office for the allowance on 20 February Detective Blackwell arrested her.