Was he really dead or legally on that date?

[Jamjar]

No help with Donald but this is, perhaps, an obit for another brother, John MCGREGOR who is listed on the grave memorial for their father and mother put up by Cando from Austcemindex.

John died Grafton, 27 March 1952, aged 71 and born in Glasgow if the obit is correct
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/195520224



Judith

Yes, that fits with info on Woronora website, Judith.

Jamjar

[Jamjar]

Presbyterian Monumental - Section B:

0019 Mary - 5-6-1901 burial

0019 John - 27-3-'52 burial

0019 Ellen - 16-4-'78 burial

0020 John - 8-7-'49 burial

0020 Dorothy - 3-9-'88 ashes

Jamjar





 

[Jamjar]

This isn't about Donald, but does show the existence of 'AIF Historian'.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122059720

Jamjar

[McGroger]

Hi everyone,

I’ve now had a chance to have a good read and have summarised some of the findings into a timeline:

Donald MacGregor, whose wife had him charged with Desertion in 2nd half 1930, disappears until a note made in 1938 appears in his army service record stating he died April 1937.

Findings include:
Possibly the Donald MacGregor bankrupted in early 1930;
Disappears from known records after arrest for wife desertion in later 1930;
Divorce proceedings underway 1933 with Donald to respond by 21 Feb 1934;
Unknown male deaths registered in 1930s in localities that could fit with verbal story of suicide in Riverina. One, although unknown, given an age of 37 in 1932 which could fit with Donald (born 1894). However this was in Sydney.
Army record noted deceased April 1937;
Wife remarries 1937.
No other record of death.

Speculation, but I’m thinking that he disappeared altogether 1930, became an unnamed body which possibly was suspected but not proven to be his, and was declared legally dead on application from his wife prior to her second marriage, with the army being notified as a part of that application.

I’d like to thank everyone involved for their input - Jamjar, rosball, majam, Rosinish, cando and judb. What a monumental effort! You’re all worth more money... Ahh, umm - sorry, maybe next week.

Thanks again.

Cheers, Peter

[Jamjar]

UNKNOWN  Male #  259/1932
aged 37 Yrs, at Sydney registered SYDNEY

How can one be unknown with a known age? 

Jamjar

[majm]

Bean was significant chap.

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/AWMOHWW1/   

 Might be worth an email enquiry re the AIF record's page 41 entry. 

https://www.awm.gov.au/research/

JM

[majm]

UNKNOWN  Male #  259/1932
aged 37 Yrs, at Sydney registered SYDNEY

How can one be unknown with a known age? 

Jamjar

There would likely be a comment on the record itself that would explain.  Likely also there had been in inquest to determine cause of death. 

There's pages and pages of "Unknown" registrations.   Very very sad.

JM

[majm]

Speculation, but I’m thinking that he disappeared altogether 1930, became an unnamed body which possibly was suspected but not proven to be his, and was declared legally dead on application from his wife prior to her second marriage, with the army being notified as a part of that application.

I have not found any indication at Trove newspapers to help advance the thought re declaring him legally dead.   I am sure that even in that era the newspapers should have carried adverts looking for him as a missing person to prove to the courts that he had been sought, prior to declaring him dead.  I am also sure that the court lists would have mentioned his name and their purpose. 

   Do you have the marriage cert for that next marriage, if so, what status did the official (clergy/registrar)  record for her .... widow/divorcee?   And, were there other margin comments?

JM 

[majm]

I see Effie Scott TURNBULL (her maiden name) married in Ryde in 1937.

Perhaps that is what triggered the 1937 death note

Ros

adding :  Effie Scott PRICE died in 1972.


Would she be receiving a pension and have to inform them of changed name/address??

As she had divorced Donald, and had a Decree Absolute (reply #3),  there would not have been any reason for her to have received an AIF pension or to keep the AIF informed of her changed name/address.

It would be interesting to know how she was described on the 1937 marriage

JM