Rebecca and George had lived at Aldborough and it seems likely that Rebecca was still living there when George took their three children away from her. There were many Dodsworths in the Minskip and Aldborough environs, it was a small community. It seems likely that having played foul with George, Rebecca was made unwelcome in the village and that she perhaps felt the need to move out of that area. Also, George was unlikely to have been a house owner and on low army pay was surely not going to pay the rent on a property inhabited by his unfaithful wife, given that his children were now in the care of his sister Isabel.
The full and exact extent of George’s problems can only be conjectured. His children were with his sister Isabel Galway. They had been in her care for a year-and-a-day when George received the distressing letter. Is this significant in respect of common law ? That Isabel should adopt them seems unlikely. She had a family of her own, but perhaps if not adopted Rebecca had a right to demand their return. Did Rebecca obtain custody of her children by default in that George did not receive legal letters and did not apply for custody such that once the year had expired the courts assumed that he did not want custody?
In 1917 a man was responsible for his wife’s debts. Rebecca’s financial situation at the time is unclear. She had a new baby to support and it must be that George was not supporting her financially. Did George’s distressing letter concern money matters ?
To George, his quality of life must have held very little hope. He had no home to return to, his wife had been unfaithful to him, his children were with his sister, his parents were dead, he was possibly war-wounded and was exiled to Lincolnshire tilling the fields. Life must have seemed very bleak indeed.
As far as can be ascertained, George has lain forgotten in Midville churchyard for 87 years. It is hoped that by this document his life and tragic death will now be remembered. May he rest in peace.
