Frederick Grasby Parsons (1884 - 1933)

Born 12 Oct 1884 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand

Husband of Florence Maud (Haymes) Parsons — married 6 Mar 1907 (to 1922) in New Zealand

Died 24 Sep 1933 at age 48 in New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jeff Thomas [send private message]

Fred Parsons is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Biography

Frederick Grasby was born in 1884.He was the son of Mary and Henry Parsons ^[1] He married Florence Maud Haymes in 1907^[2]

Frederick Parsons (service number 9/1219) served in the Army during Waorld War 1 He gave his next of kin as Mrs F.M. Parsons (wife), of 142 Dowling Street, Dunedin,He embarked 14 Aug 1915 aboard HMNZT 28 the vessel Tofua arriving 19 September 1915 to Suez, Egypt. He was a Trooper with the Otago Mounted Rifles, 6th Reinforcements ^[3]

They divorced in 1922

PARSONS v. PARSONS. Florence Maude Parsons petitioned for a divorce from her husband, Frederick Grasby Parsons on the grounds of desertion and misconduct, Mr H. Brasch appeared for the petitioner. Florence Maude Parsons said she was married to the respondent on March 6, 1907. There were three children of the marriage from eight to 14- years of age. She identified a photograph produced as a good likeness of her husband. After the marriage she lived for some years in Dunedin. Her husband lost his work through drinking, and they went to Timaru. He was drinking again there arid got into financial difficulties; They had to sell up the home to pay the rent and the debts. Her husband remained in Timaru, and she, and the children came back to her father’s home in Dunedin. After three months she had an order made against her husband, for maintenance, but he did not pay regularly under it. He enlisted and went to the front. He returned. in January, 1919, and she went to meet him at the station. She had heard that he had contracted venereal disease. She took him to her home, but they did not live together as man and wife. She went away for a fortnight to think over what was best to be done. He did not make any objection to her going. When she returned she found he, had gone away on the Tahiti as a butcher. He left £8 a month for the support of her sister and the children, but made no arrangement for her. Witness sold up the home and wrote to her husband about the position. He returned in July, 1919, and wanted her to go back to him. He had no home to offer. He admitted on one occasion that what she had heard about his health was true. He had not contributed to her maintenance in any way, and she had not applied for an order for herself.

Nellie Haymes, sister of the petitioner, said she had lived with Mr and Mrs Parsons after their marriage in Dunedin and in Timaru and later in Dunedin with her sister. Parsons drank heavily in both places, and after his return to Dunedin from the war. He did not make any complaint about his wife going away for the fortnight. He left £8 a month for witness and the three children telling her if it was not enough she could go out and work. He told witness to turn his wife out when she returned, and said he wanted to get away before she came back., Witness drew the money and gave it to Mrs Parsons. Of it £3 a month went to support two of the children in a home. When Parsons returned In July the payments ceased. His Honor said there was no appearance of respondent and he had not pleaded any defence. A decree nisi would be granted, to be made absolute in three months. ^[4]

He passed away in 1933 age 48 ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Birth registration 1884/7769 (his name as "Fred")
2. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1907/1549
3. ↑ Online cenotaph, Auckland War Memorial Museum
4. ↑ SUPREME COURT. OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 18711, 15 NOVEMBER 1922
5. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Death registration 1933/696