Hi there,
Perhaps I am missing something here, But I can see the 1916 marriage was the third quarter of 1916, but I can also see from his AIF papers that he only arrived in England 14 June 1916, and that was because he required hospitalisation for a Gun Shot Wound –arm. At that time he was meant to be under Field Punishment No. 2 for 56 days from about 5 May 1916. So, he was not meant to receive leave to “go gallivanting” until say early July, 1916 (add, 3rd Quarter commences July, and includes August and September)
He was marched out FROM No 2 CD Weymouth 28 Oct 1916 TO No. 3 CD (Com Depot) at Wool (likely as in Woolwich,)
I think this is the marriage registration :
James A MEDDINGS
Stewart E MORGAN
and it was registered in the 3rd Quarter of 1916 AT Gateshead, Durham 10A/1325.
In the AIF papers his wife is noted as Mrs J A Meddings (not as Stewart or variations) and an address at Gateshead with the date noted as 31 Oct 1918 (4th Quarter 1916) . Also again from those papers, James changed his Next of Kin paperwork 28 November 1916.
So have you carefully checked the GRO marriage certificate signature with the AIF papers that include James’ signature just to double check re the apparent bigamous matters.
Also, have you checked to see if the marriage was negatived in any way ..... any notes on that GRO record? In NSW, Australia, when a marriage was terminated by any NSW Supreme Court action, a note of that action was made on the registration, perhaps more towards the left hand margin. I am not sure of the GRO practices.
Cheers, JM
