Lucy, Re Frank Turner ex husband of Violet Sweet, coppersmith, I have now accessed his WW1 Military records online and found that he seemed to have kept custody of the two children of the marriage. On his records he claims he has a wife, Winifred Maude ( Farley) married in 1912 and 3 children, Frank Reginald 1903, Esther Flora 1905 and Arthur Kenneth 1915. No mention of Winton and Edwin Ryan. Clearly he was not heartbroken for long after the 1911 divorce. Nor was he fated to be happily married as he and Winifred divorced in 1926.
Re Daniel Ryan who married Violet Sweet in 1918 and was stepfather to Sydney's sons I have tracked him down again via WW1 Military records. Born 1876 in Tipperary, Ireland parents deceased. He went into the NZ Army under ballot Sept. 1917. I assume that was a compulsory call up in what seems to be the later stages of the war? At attestation he was a saddler living at Great North Road, Kingsland Auckland. I discounted 2 other Daniel Ryans as they were serving in the field abroad when Violet married one of the three in 1918.
On the Archives website I found reference to a mortgage discharge between Daniel Ryan of Grey Lynn and Government officer of some sort ( records relate to time slots between 1907 and 1938). The property in question was in Princes Street Auckland. Daniel was described as a butcher.
I looked up Daniel Ryan Butchers Grey Lynn on Google and there is still a butchers shop at 531 Great North Road address. I feel certain this is the correct Daniel Ryan because of the Grey Lynn connection between him and the address Sydney gave for Violet. Perhaps love blossomed over the lamb chops? Not long-lived though as they divorced in 1926
The butchers connection might spark a clue or memory? A Daniel Ryan died 1945 and is buried in Otahuhu Public cemetery. Perhaps it is him.
Thanks
PatsyAnn