Court Martial, Fri 3 Sep 1920 1 & 2


 1041/AF401.

 Date 20 Sep 1920

Subject:
Court Martial on Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official
Number 11065.
HMAS “GERANIUM”.
Held on 3rd September, 1920.

 Charge

Finding

Sentence

Sodomy

 Pleaded guilty 

Three years Penal Servitude.

FORMER:

Navy Office telegram No 92 dated 25th August, 1920.

ENCLOSURES:

Minutes of proceedings


The Secretary,

    Department of the Navy.

    Be pleased to lay before the Naval Board the enclosed minutes of the Court Martial on Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official Number 11065, HMAS “GERANIUM”.

  2.  I beg to submit that while the statement at “A” in the circumstantial letter should not have been included as the accused had not then been cautioned in the usual manner, it would not seem to affect the legality of the sentence in view of the subsequent confession mentioned at “B” as regards which I have ascertained that he was duly cautioned.

  3.  I beg to submit, however, that the Naval Board may consider reducing the sentence as an act of clemency in this case on account of the following two factors:–

    (a) It is plain that the Accused did not

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2

as he states. Realise the gravity of his crime and the punishment for it or he would not have made a voluntary statement to the Surgeon, incriminating himself, nor would he have admitted the crime at the official investigation.

    (b) Beyond his own statement incriminating himself and the admission of the other man there is no evidence corroboration of sodomy having occurred, and he has therefore been found, on his own evidence against himself, as had he denied the charge at the official investigation he would probably not have been found guilty on uncorroborated evidence.

  4.  I beg therefore to submit for consideration, while fully upholding the justice of the sentence passed by the Court, that the sentence may be reduced even to some amount such as one year’s imprisonment with hard labour.

  5.  The sentence of Penal Servitude includes consequent penalty of dismissal with disgrace, but sentence of imprisonment does not and I beg to submit that he may be discharged “SNLR” should a reduction of the sentence be approved.

[Signed] J[ohn] S[aumarez] Dumaresq
C O M M O D O R E.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Australian Navy sloop HMAS Geranium. Image: Australian War Memorial, H17515. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
The Australian Navy sloop HMAS Geranium. Image: Australian
War Memorial, H17515. Reproduction: Peter de Waal

    Minutes of Proceedings at a Court Martial held on board His Majesty’s Australian Ship “Geranium” at Townsville, on Friday the third day of September 1920.

Present:

    Captain Henry Priaulx Cayley, Royal Australian Navy, HMAS “Sydney”, President.
    Commander Maurice Baldwin Raymond Blackwood, Royal Navy, HMAS “Sydney”.
    Lieut Commander Denis Quintin Fildes, Royal Navy, HMAS “Sydney”.
    Lieutenant Robert Douglas King Harman, DSC, Royal Navy, HMAS “Geranium”.
    Lieutenant Michael George Barradaile Cox, Royal Navy, HMAS “Geranium”.
    Paymaster Lieutenant Commander Donald Andrew Peart, Royal Navy, HMAS “Sydney”, Officiating Deputy Judge Advocate.

    No Officers were reported as absent on leave by permission of the Senior Officer present.

    The Court having been opened, the Accused, Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official No 11065, of HMAS “Geranium” was brought in, and the Prosecutor, Captain Lieutenant Commander William Mervyn Vaughan-Lewis, Royal Navy, of HMAS “Geranium”, and the audience, admitted.

 

    Engineer Lieutenant George Ian Dewart Hutcheson, Royal Australian Navy, of HMAS “Geranium” appeared in Court to assist the Accused.

    Read, the Warrant of Commodore John Saumarez Dumaresq, CB, CVO, Royal Navy, Commanding HM Australian Fleet, for assembling the court.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

S –1347 (Established—November, 1907).


HMAS “Sydney” at Townsville 2nd September 1920

  List of Officers of HM Ships next in Seniority to Captain Henry Priaulx Cayley RAN
President of the Court-Martial ordered to be held this day for the Trial of Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official No. 11065, of His Majesty’s Australian Ship “Sydney”

Ship

Name

Rank

Seniority

If, by reason of the exigencies of the public service, the attendance of any Officer is not attainable, a notation to that effect is to be made against his name, and the nature of the urgent duty stated.

 HMAS “Sydney”

 Maurice Baldwin Raymond Blackwood DSO

 Commander RN

31 Dec 1916

 

 ditto

 Denis Quintin Fildes

 Lieutenant Commander RN

31 Dec 1919

 

 HMAS Geranium

 Robert Douglas King Harman DSC

 Lieutenant RN

15 Feb 1914

 

 ditto

 Michael George Barradaile Cox DSC

 Lieutenant RN

15 Apr 1915

 

 ditto

 Thomas Nixson

 Lieutenant RN

25 Sep 1915

 

 HMAS “Sydney”

 Arthur Robin Moore Bridge

 Lieutenant RN

30 Nov 1915

 

  This list should contain sufficient names to provide two spare officers; the names of officers who would be eligible to sit as members but for their absence on leave are to be included.

 To_________________________________________

[Signed] H Cayley Captain
Commander in Chief or Senior Officer.

 President of the Court-Martial.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~

AS1320b.  Naval Message.

FROM: CCAF

TO: Sydney Australia via Cerberus

TEXT    Repeat to Geranium.

    In view of presence of their Excellencies on board Sydney, Court Martial at Cairns should be held on board Geranium. On completion of Court Martial accused should be transferred to HMAS Sydney. Ships Cook & Stoker rating embarked on board Sydney being transferred to Geranium in their place.

TIME OF ORIGIN:   0051
ENDING: AR

Time of Receipt: 2.37am    Despatch: ----- System: W/T    Date: August 27th 20

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

AS—1320b.

               NAVAL SIGNAL

From: Sydney   To: CCAF System: W/T Date: 2/9/20 Time: 1529

URGENT. Geranium is now at Townsville. Submit authority may be given to hold Court Martial tomorrow Friday in order not to delay Geranium at Cairns. All necessary formalities have been arranged in anticipation of your approval.

     0405.

True copy of wireless message. [Signed] H Cayley, Captain.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

AS—1320b.

               NAVAL SIGNAL

From: CCAF    To: Sydney System: W/T Date:3/9/20  Time: 7.0

PRIORITY. Your 0405. Should Governor General not be inconvenienced in any way and should he approve Court Martial may be held at Townsville.

     1040.

True copy of wireless message. [Signed] H Cayley, Captain.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Royal Australian Navy seal

By JOHN SAUMAREZ DUMARESQ, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Commodore of His Majesty’s Fleet, and Commodore Commanding His Majesty’s Australian Seagoing Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed in His Majesty’s Australian Fleet.

HMAS “AUSTRALIA”.
at Sydney.
25th August 1920.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

In reply please quote
No. _____________

    Whereas the Naval Board has transmitted to me a telegram dated the 24th day of August 1920, from Lieutenant-Commander William Mervyn Vaughan-Lewis, Royal Navy, of His Majesty’s Australian Ship “GERANIUM” reporting the misconduct of

Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official No. 11065

of the said ship: and whereas I think fit that the said

Victor Lindsay Barbour

shall be tried by Court-Martial, I am sending you the said letter telegram and do, in exercise of the powers conferred on my by Commission from the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia hereby direct you to assemble a Court-Martial onboard His Majesty’s Australian Ship “SYDNEY” on the 6th day of September 1920, or as soon afterwards as circumstances will admit, which court, you being President thereof, is hereby ordered to try the said

Victor Lindsay Barbour

on the accompanying charge accordingly.

    Given under my hand on board His Majesty’s Australian Ship “AUSTRALIA” at Sydney, the twenty-fifth day of August 1920.

[Signed] JS Dumaresq
C O M M O D O R E.

To: Captain Henry Priaulx Cayley, Royal Australian Navy,
HMAS “SYDNEY”.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

COPY OF TELEGRAM.

From … NAVY, MELBOURNE.
To … COMMODORE COMMANDING, HM AUSTRALIAN FLEET.
Date … 25th August, 1920.

No … 92.

——————————

    PRIORITY. Following received from HMAS “GERANIUM” 24th begins:–

    Submit case of Sodomy on board, offenders are Ship’s Cook and Stoker rating. Both are now Venereal Disease patients. Request instructions. ends.

    Naval Board have ordered HMAS “GERANIUM” to Cairns for case to be tried by Court Martial as soon as possible after arrival of HMAS “SYDNEY” at that Port. Time does not admit of Court Martial Warrant being issued to Captain of HMAS “SYDNEY” by Naval Board and it is requested that you will do so. Commanding Officer of “GERANIUM” will be directed to furnish you by W/T and telegram full particulars of ratings concerned. If necessary defer your visit to Melbourne in order to complete arrangements.

0521.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

    There were no Officers present at the place where the place where the [sic] Court Martial is being held whose attendance is not attainable by reason of the exigencies of the public service, or on account of sickness.

    Read, the names of the Officers composing the Court.

    The Prosecutor, being asked whether he objected to any member of the Court, stated that he had no objection.

    The Accused, being asked whether he objected to be tried by any member of the Court, stated that he objected to Lieutenant King Harman of HMAS “Geranium” on the ground that he had expressed a harsh opinion on the case.

    The Court was closed and the objection was considered and allowed.

    The Court was re-opened and Lieutenant Thomas Nixson, Royal Australian Navy, of HMAS “Geranium” the officer next in seniority, was then required to sit as a Member of the Court, in the place of Lieutenant King Harman. The Accused having stated that he had no objection to him.

    The Accused made no objection to the Constitution of the Court.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

    The Members of the Court and the Officiating Deputy Judge Advocate were then duly sworn.

    No Shorthand Writer was employed.

    Read, the Charge and the Circumstantial Letter.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

CLAUSE “A”

(In accordance with Article 664 of Naval Court Martial Procedure).

    For that he Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official Number 11065 belonging to His Majesty’s Australian Ship “Geranium” then being a person subject to the Naval Discipline Act, did, on the 18th day of August 1920, commit Sodomy with Harold Ernest Crowley, 3 Cook, Official Number 11407.

[Signed] W[illiam] M[ervyn] Vaughan-Lewis
Lieutenant Commander.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

CLAUSE “D”

Stoker Victor Lindsay Barbour ON 11065
Extract of Conduct Card Subsequent to Joining Ship.
——————————
(In accordance with Article 664 of Naval Court Martial Procedure).

 Date of Offence

 Date Punished

 OFFENCE

 PUNISHMENT

 7th July

 16th July

 Did remain absent without leave 35 minutes

 One days Pay and Leave Stopped

[Signed] WM Vaughan-Lewis
Lieutenant Commander.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Royal Australian Navy.

HMAS “GERANIUM”
at Townsville.
25th August 1920.

In reply Please Quote
No. _____________

CONFIDENTIAL.

The Secretary,
  Department of the Navy,
     Navy Office,
       MELBOURNE.

    Submitted in accordance with Article 663 of Naval Court Martial Procedure, I beg to bring the following case before the notice of the Naval Board:–

    It has been brought to my notice by Surgeon Lieutenant John Henry Blackburn, Royal Australian Navy, through the Executive Officer, that on Wednesday 18th August 1920, a case of Sodomy took place between Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official Number 11065 and Harold Ernest Crowley, Cook, Official Number 11407, this assumption being confirmed after Medical examination of both these men.

    The charge is based on the following facts:–

    Stoker Barbour reported at the Sick Bay on Tuesday 24th August 1920, suffering from a urethral discharge and a split prepuce, the former on examination proving to be Gonorrhoea. He privately made a voluntary statement to Surgeon Lieutenant Blackburn that he had committed an immoral act with Cook Crowley.

    Cook Crowley was then sent to the Sick Bay for Medical Inspection and was examined by Surgeon Lieutenant Blackburn.

    This man was found to be suffering from a discharge of the back passage.

    In answer to questions, Crowley stated he had never previously suffered from any form of Venereal Disease.

    The case was then brought before the Executive Officer.

    Both men on being examined by me admitted having committed a gross immoral act together on Wednesday 18th August 1920 on board HMA Ship under my command.

    The ship was on passage from Sydney to Townsville at the time.

[Signed] WM Vaughan-Lewis
Lieutenant Commander, RN.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

    The Officiating Deputy Judge Advocate stated that the Accused had been furnished, not less than 24 hours before the trial, with a copy of the Charge, and of the Circumstantial Letter, with a the List of Witnesses for the Prosecution, and with a notice that it was is competent for him to give evidence, subject to cross-examination, by the Prosecutor, and examination by the Court.

    The officiating Deputy Judge Advocate informed the Accused that he was not required to plead either Guilty of Not Guilty; but that should he desire to plead Guilty he should do so now, and should lay before the Court any statement in mitigation of punishment, and call witnesses as to general character.

    The accused pleaded Guilty to the Charge and stated that he did so voluntarily.

    The accused handed in the annexed statement, which was read to the Court by the Officiating Deputy Judge Advocate.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

STATEMENT OF ACCUSED.

    Having pleaded guilty of the offence I would make the following ernest earnest plea for mitigation requesting you to take into consideration the following facts:–

    I am only 19 years of age and am a Married man and the sole support of my wife, who is aged 18 years and my baby boy aged 2 months.

    I plead earnestly that the nature of the offence as a most serious offence against the Naval Discipline Act did not appeal to me and at the time I was ignorant of any serious wrong doing, but now that the offence has been brought home to me my shame is beyond my power to describe.

    I would request the Court to earnestly consider the following statement in corroboration of the above to prove that the serious nature of the offence was unknown to me. That I personally clearly described the facts of the case to the Sick Bay Attendant and to the Surgeon Lieutenant withholding nothing entirely on my own initiative. I did this as soon as I discovered that I had contracted a Venereal Disease from the offer offending party in order that he might be examined and prevented from spreading the disease among any other of his mess-mates.

    My feelings towards the other party are now entirely of revolt and though I am much younger than He and was lured into the offence I plead that my passionate nature allowed itself to master my own will power but momentarily only, and that I am in no way addicted to such practice.

    On the other hand the other party by his mannerisms and tricks such as going about dressed in female attire, and also having the disease where he did was no doubt experienced in these practices and also was concealing this disease.

    My period of service has been twenty months during which time my Conduct Sheet is clear; I was recommended and granted especially early promotion from Stoker 2nd class to Stoker first class.

    My young wife and child have no other means of support and I would ask the Court to consider my case inward linent leniently as I am deeply concerned about their welfare and it is impossible that my wife should be able to earn her living with a child so young.

    In conclusion I would like to point out that I have already been punished deeply for the offence, my shame at the deed is beyond expression and I have contracted a most serious disease which is likely to have a life long effect on my health.

[Signed] V Barbour
Stoker, Official Number 11065.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

CM 18.

    The Accused, being asked whether he wishes to call evidence as to character, replies that he

    The Court was cleared and the Court being of opinion that the accused’s statement was consistent with a plea of guilty, the Court was reopened.

 

    Engineer Lieutenant George Ian Dewart Hutcheson, Royal Australian Navy. HMAS “Geranium”

 Called, sworn and examined by the accused

  1. Are you Engineer Lieutenant George Ian Dewart Hutcheson, Royal Australian Navy, HMAS “Geranium”?

  Yes.

  2. I call on you to give evidence as to my general character. During the time the accused has served in the Engine Room Department of this ship while I have been here he has always been a good and willing worker and has given no trouble at all.


    The Accused having nothing further to offer in mitigation of punishment, his Certificate of Service, Conduct Sheet, and the entries under his name in the Conduct Card were produced by the Prosecutor, read to the Court by the Judge-advocate, and the copies verified.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

CM 22.

    The Court was then cleared and proceeded to frame the Sentence.

SENTENCE.

    The Accused having pleaded guilty, the Court considers the Charge proved, and therefore adjudges him, the said Victor Lindsay Barbour, Stoker, Official Number 11065, to be kept in penal servitude for the term of three years.

[Signed]
[Signed]
[Signed]
[Signed]
[Signed]
H Cayley, Captain
Maurice Blackwood, Commander
Denis Q Fildes, Lieut Commander
MGB Cox, Lieutenant
Thomas Nixson, Lieut

[Signed] DA Peart
Paymaster Lieutenant Commander
Officiating Deputy Judge-Advocate                                                                                                       

Date 3rd September 1920

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

CM 23.

    The Court was re-opened; the Accused brought in; the Prosecutor, Witnesses and Audience admitted; the Sentence pronounced accordingly.
    -----
    The President directed the Accused to be removed, and declared the Court dissolved.
    -----

[Signed]  DA Peart
Officiating Deputy Judge-Advocate

Date 3rd September 1920

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

AS. 1243.

TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

of Victor Lindsay Barbour in the Royal Australian Navy.

 

 NOTE:– This copy possesses no value as a record of a man’s service and character unless attested by the signature of a responsible Officer.

 Signature:     [Signed] WM Vaughan-Lewis
 Rank:    Lieut  Commander
 Date:   24.8.20

 Port Division

 Sydney

Official Number 11065

 Date of Birth: 25th March 1901

 Where    Parish                     North Sydney
 born    } Town or Country      NSW

 Usual Place of      64 St James Road
 Residence:      }   Waverley, Sydney 
 
 Trade brought up to:    Tobacco worker

 Religious Denomination:   C of E

 Can Swim:

Nearest known Relative or Friend
(Relationship, Name, and Address).

 Mother:–
     Elsie Fabris

 

Engagements

Medals, Clasps, Etc.

Date of Actually Volunteering

Commencing date of Engagement

Period Engaged for

Date Received or Forfeited

Nature of Decoration

 2nd January 1919

 25 March 1919

 7 years

-----

-----

Description of Person

Stature

Colour of—

Marks, Wounds and Scars

Ft.

In.

Hair

Eyes

Complexion

 On Entry as a Boy
 On advancement to man’s rating, or on entry if under 28 years of age
 On re-entry or on entry if over 28 years of age
 Further description if necessary

 

 5
 do

 

 6
 do

 

 Fair
 do

 

 Blue
 do

 

 Pale
 do

 

 Vaccination Mark
 do

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Name: Victor Lindsay Barbour 4 

Ship’s Name.

List and No.

Rating.

From–

To–

Cause of Discharge.

 Penguin
 Cerberus
 ditto
 ditto
 Encounter 
 Sydney
 Penguin
 Australia (Geranium)
 ditto
 Geranium

 

 

 3rd Cook’s Mate
 ditto
 Stoker 3rd class
 Stoker 2nd class
 ditto
 ditto
 ditto
 ditto
 Stoker
 ditto

2 Jan 1919
3 Jan 1919
21 Jan 1919
25 Mar 1919
22 Jul 1919
2 Aug 1919
1 Feb 1920
14 Feb 1920
20 Feb 1920
1 Jul 1920

2 Jan 1919
20 Jan 1919
24 Mar 1919
21 Jul 1919
1 Aug 1919
31 Jan 1920
13 Feb 1920
19 Feb 1920
30 Jun 1920
-----

 -----
 -----
 -----
 -----
 -----
 -----
 -----
 -----
 -----
 -----

Date

Wounds Received in Action and Hurt Certificate; also any Meritorious Service, Special
Recommendations, Prize or other Grants.

Captain’s Signature

 -----

 -----

 -----


~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Name: Victor Lindsay Barbour

Character, Ability in Rating, Recommendations for Medal and Gratuity (RMG),
on 31st December each year and on Discharge from the Service.

Character

Ability in Rating noting Seaman’s duty, e.g, Coxswain, &c

RMG

Date

Captain’s Signature

 VG

 VG

Sat (Stoker III)

Sat (Stoker II)

 -----

 -----

 2nd Mar 1919

 31 Dec 1919

(Sg) F[rederick] N[eville] Eardley-Wilmot
(Sg) V Cayley

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copy

CONDUCT SHEET
————

AS.—239a.

Name Victor Lindsay Barbour

Official No. 11065 

Ship served
in

Rating

Badges

Conduct

Leave

Character since last assessment

Ability

Balance of leave due for leave year

Ship Discharged to

Captain’s Signature

No.

Commencement of continuous “very good” time entitling to award (Art. 741, cl. 3)

If awaiting restoration, date from which entitled to count time (Art. 779, cl. 3)

Class

If awaiting restoration date from which entitled to count time & period proposed (Art. 782)

Class

Date from which entitled to count for restoration (Art. 788)

From

To

Character MGR. If MGR with held state reason (Art. 751, cl. 17)

Sydney

Sto II

—

25.3.19

—

1

—

1

—

1920
1 Jan

39843

VG

Sat

—

Penguin

(Sg) WS Black-burn

No leave or offences in Penguin

Australia (Geranium)

Sto

—

25.3.19

—

1

—

1

—

39857

39993

VG

Sat

—

Geranium

(Sg) Wm Vaugh­an-Lewis

Had 13 days leave in Australia (Geranium)

Geranium

Sto

—

25.3.19

—

1

—

1

—

39994

40041

VG

Sat

—

—

(Sg) Wm Vaugh­an-Lewis


~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Victor Lindsay Barbour, Gaol photo sheet 5

 

 

 

 9 SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5973], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 12 Oct 1899- 25 Mar 1902, No. 1380, p. 57, R5120.


Gaol Photo Sheet - 
Transcribed Details

No. 17406

Date when Portrait was taken: 17-9-1920

Name: Victor Lindsay Barbour

Native place: Sydney

Year of birth: 25-3-1901

Arrived       Ship:
in Colony }   Year: BS

Trade or occupation
previous to conviction  } Stoker

Religion: C of E

Education, degree of: R & W

Height: 5' 9⅞"

Weight     On committal: 141
in lbs     } On discharge:

Colour of hair: Fair

Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Flag heart and ribbon with “MIZPAH.” above flowers above crown outside left forearm. Crossed flags outline of map of Australia with “AUSTRALIA” in centre above frog & butterfly above skull & crossbones outside right forearm

(No. of previous Portrait ... ) 

CONVICTIONS

Where and When Offence. Sentence

Court Martial HMAS
Ship “Geranium”

lodged


 3

16


9

9


1920

1920


Sodomy


3 years P.S.

  



Catherine Mary Barbour
, 1945

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 10 Mar 1945 6

LEGAL NOTICES

…
In the Supreme Court of New South Wales.—In Divorce.—To: Victor Lindsay Barbour late of Sydney in the State of New South Wales, Stoker. Take Notice that the said Catherine Mary Barbour has filed a Petition for Divorce No. 4712 of 1944 on the ground of desertion without just cause or excuse for three years and upwards. If you wish to defend you may enter an appearance in the Divorce Registry Supreme Court King Street Sydney by 14th May next and obtain a copy of the Petition without charge from JG Palmer, Solicitor for the Petitioner, 9-13 Blight Street, Sydney. CK Body (LS), Registrar.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Courier-Mail, Tue 13 Mar 1945 7

LEGAL NOTICES

In The Supreme Court of New South Wales.—In Divorce.—To Victor Lindsay Barbour, late of Sydney, in the State of New South Wales, Stoker. Take notice that the said Catherine Mary Barbour has filed a Petition for Divorce No. 4712 of 1944 on the ground of Desertion without just cause or excuse for three years and upwards. If you wish to defend you may enter an appearance in the Divorce Registry Supreme Court King Street Sydney by the 14th day of May next and obtain a copy of the Petition without charge from JG Palmer, Solicitor for the Petitioner 9-13 Bligh Street Sydney. CK Body, Registrar (LS).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Truth, Sun 18 Mar 1945 8

LEGAL NOTICES

…
In The Supreme Court of New South Wales.—In Divorce.—To: Victor Lindsay Barbour, late of Sydney, in the State of New South Wales, Stoker. Take Notice that the said Catherine Mary Barbour has filed a petition for divorce No. 4712 of 1944 on the ground of desertion without just cause or excuse for three years and upwards. If you wish to defend you may enter an appearance in the Divorce Registry Supreme Court King Street Sydney by the 14th day of May next and obtain a copy of the petition without charge from JG Palmer Solicitor for the Petitioner 9-13 Bligh Street Sydney.

CK BODY, Registrar (LS).

 


1     Victor Lindsay Barbour (VLB), born 25th March 1901 in St Leonards, NSW. Enlisted at Sydney NSW with next of kind his mother Elsie Fabris. A digitised copy of Barbour’s service record can be viewed at http://www.naa.gov.au website. During Jul 2008 the author Googled VLB and through that search made contact with a person called Di Cuff (and I acknowledge and thank her for the details I’m providing here) who has been and still is trying to find details about VLB and particularly his abandonment of his family. The parents of VLB were Richard W Barbour and Elsie Alice Whittaker who married in Sydney during 1900. During 2006 Di made contact with VLB’s grandson, David, who told her that he remembers his father telling him that Richard Barbour was a Harbour Master who fell off a wharf and was crushed by a ferry. She’s been unable to find a death registration for Richard in either NSW or Vic. It appears that not long after this event, Elsie took up with a chap named Edgardo Fabris. Edgardo had been born in Italy and naturalized in 1898. Di couldn’t find a marriage for Elsie and Edgardo but she did find the births of their four children who were all registered with the surname of Barbour. VLB married Catherine (known as Kathleen) M Keough at Paddington in 1920. Catherine was born in Sydney in 1902 to John Keough and Flora (nee Cleal). It is believed that VLB abandoned his family and their children were put into foster care as Catherine couldn’t cope. Victor junior’s son David recalls his father telling the story about how his mother left him on the doorstep with a box of plums and went round the corner, and then the Welfare Officer appeared. Victor junior and Audrey were made Wards of the Court and fostered to two elderly Irish ladies named Gert and May who were very strict Catholics. All the other children they took in were girls but because Victor was the only male he got the lion’s share of whatever there was in the way of food. When he was 18 they gave him a packet of cigarettes and told him that now he was a man it was time for him to start smoking. Catherine died in 1963 in Sydney. She was buried at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park on 23rd May 1963. VLB and Catherine’s three children were: 1) Victor Lawrence born 30th May 1920 in Sydney and died in October 2004 after 62 years of marriage with Dorothy Irene Blockley. 2) Audrey Kathleen not known when born. She married Gordon Lionel Manning in 1947 at Waverley. Gordon died in 1987. Audrey died of cancer in 1997. Audrey and Gordon had two children. 3) Ronald not known where born. He died in 1926 in Annandale.

2     NAA: A471, 22161 , RAN Court Martial, 3 Sep 1920. The digitised version of the Court Martial can be viewed at http://www.naa.gov.au

3     Harold Ernest Crowley, born Wallsend NSW. Enlisted at Sydney NSW with next of kind his mother Margaret Crowley. A digitised copy of Crowley’s WWI service record can be viewed at http://www.naa.gov.au.

4     Columns 2 and 3 headed: “List and No.” are indistinct.

5     SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6104], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Jun 1920-9 Oct 1920, No. 17406, p. –.

6     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 10 Mar 1945, p. 14.

7     The Courier-Mail, (Brisbane, Qld) Tue 13 Mar 1945, p. 5.

8     Truth, (Syd, NSW), Sun 18 Mar 1945, p. 29.