Joseph Woodford's story is a rare but not unknown one of a man who joined the Army twice. He first joined the 17th Reinforcements in 1915 but was discharged the next year as being medically unfit. He joined the 41st Reinforcements in 1918, reached Britain in October and was soon on his way back home, following the unexpected German collapse in November.
Joseph's post war years were punctuated by court appearances for disobeying the maintenance order made in favour of his wife and child.
ONLY MAINTENANCE CASES.
Complications of an indirect nature were the only species to engage the attention of the magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle) this morning, not even a “drunk” giving the usual Monday morning color to the proceedings.
WANTED NO MORE GAOL.
The police proceeded against Joseph Francis Henry Woolford for disobedience of a maintenance order, the arrears being £55 15s 6d.
Woolford stated in evidence that he had been out of gaol for only four months, and since then his wages averaged about £2 10s per week. The order was in respect of an adopted child. He asked that the arrears be cancelled, to give him a chance to keep up the payments.
Cross-examined by the senior sergeant, the defendant said that two previous sentences of imprisonment for failing to maintain had been inflicted on him, but in both cases the warrant had been suspended. “I don’t want any more gaol,” he said. “It’s hard, I tell you. You’d know that yourself if you were there." Defendant mentioned that his wife was divorced, and he was also paying for the maintenance of his own child in Timaru, where another case was pending, in which he would also ask for the cancellation of the arrears. He rented a house in Harrow street, and was living there.
The Magistrate: Are you living with anybody?
Defendant: Well, since you ask me, your Worship, I am.
The Magistrate: I will certainly ask you.
The Magistrate adjourned the matter for a week, when the defendant could again apply for the arrears to be cancelled. He pointed out that the defendant could not hope to escape his liabilities by assuming fresh ones. -Evening Star, 21/7/1924.
MAINTENANCE.
J. S. H. Woolford, whose case had been adjourned until one of a similar nature was heard at Timaru, again was a visitor to the witness box. — The Magistrate reduced the arrears from £55 15s 6d to £20, and sentenced the defendant to three months’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as he pays 15s per week, 10s 6d current order and 4s 6d off arrears. -Evening Star, 4/8/1924.
The following story would indicate that Joseph was unable to comply with the order and was made to do the time.
MAINTENANCE.
In the case E. M. Redmond (Mr W. D. Campbell) v. Joseph Woolford, the latter made application for variance of a maintenance order.
Appellant, who gave his occupation as that of a wharf labourer, said he was not living with his wife, having been divorced. He earned £3 a week, and was unable to comply with the terms of the present order.
In replv to Mr Campbell, Woolford said he thought he was about £70 in arrears.
Mr Campbell: “You thought you were stronger than the law. That was your trouble.”
Appellant: “I did not.”
Mr Campbell: “Were you ever in goal?”
Appellant: “I did three months.”
After further cross-examination, appellant agreed to pay 12s 6d per week, the arrears to be cancelled. He was ordered to pay costs. -Timaru Herald, 17/7/1925.
MAINTENANCE.
Joseph Francis Henry Woolford applied for variation of a maintenance order issued against him at Oamaru in respect of his adopted daughter. On December 10, 1919. Woolford produced medical evidence to the effect that he had been suffering from general debility tor some time past, and was unable to work, and his Worship ordered that all arrears to date be remitted. -Otago Daily Times, 9/2/1926.
DEATHS
WOOLFORD. — On April 9, at Palmerston, Joseph Francis Henry Woolford, of Hampden; aged 34 years. R.I.P. Funeral To-day (Monday), 11th inst., at Hampden Cemetery, at 2 o'clock. -Otago Daily Times, 11/4/1927.
Joseph Woodford's death certificate shows that he died of tuberculosis at the Pleasant Valley sanatorium.
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