Sunday 11 February 2024

403574 Flight Sergeant Alpheus Leslie Groves, (11/9/1911-7/9/1942). "papers had been served"


When the divorce petition of Groves v. Groves was called in the Supreme Court yesterday, Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for the petitioning wife. Phyllis Joan Groves, stated that this was an unusual case in that the respondent, Leslie Adolphe Groves, had been reported missing on air operations from England in September, 1942, after the papers had been served upon him. Counsel said that he had looked into the legal position, and it appeared that the petition should proceed unless there was conclusive proof that the respondent was dead. Mr Justice Kennedy intimated that he would look into the authorities, and later stated that he would allow the case to proceed. The ground of the petition was a separation agreement, and a decree nisi was granted.  -Otago Daily Times, 10/6/1943.

Leslie Groves was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner on a Wellington bomber which took off from Middenhall for Duisberg in Germany.  The plane was shot down by a night fighter. There were no survivors.  The crew are buried in Tilburg Cemetery, Holland. Leslie was posted "missing" in October, 1942.

There is a discrepancy between the ODT report and Leslie's official record.  I am sure that they are the same person.


Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

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