Source: 18th Battalion Nominal Roll, April 1915.
Note that this soldier attested to the 18th Battalion on October 23, 1914 and was transferred to the 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles in Canada on February 14, 1915.
RETURNED SOLDIER FOUND GUILTY OF STRIKING WIFE
Bound Over to Keep the Peace for Next Six MonthsRobinson Baldwin, a returned solder and a former member of the 18th Battalion, was found guilty in police court today of having assaulted his wife, Alice Baldwin, on Sunday, March 11, by striking her with a blog with a bread knife.
Baldwin was bound over in the sum of $100 to keep the peace for the next six months, Magistrates Macklin and Dyer not caring to impose a fine in the case of a returned soldier.
From the evidence, it seems the assault was the culmination of bitter feelings between man and wife for some months past. Baldwin was advised by the magistrates to leave his wife alone and keep away from the house.
Mrs. Alice Baldwin, the complainant, testified that an agreement of separation had been entered into between her husband and herself in October, 1914.
He had returned from overseas service in December last, and had come to the house then, but witness had objected, as their separation agreement specified that the husband was to remain away from the house.
In January last, she testified, that her husband had choked her into unconsciousness and a doctor was called.
A week ago last Sunday he had struck her over the shoulder with a bread knife, this being the charge laid against Baldwin.
Last Friday, when he was served with the summons, he had threatened to “lay her out cold.”
Asked as to the nature of her husband’s wounds, she said she did not know anything about them, as they had never discussed the matter. He had threatened to kill her on other occasions, she said.
Under cross-examination by E.T. Essery, counsel for the husband, Mrs. Baldwin said she had thrown the teapot at her husband, after he had stuck her with the bread knife, but it had not stuck him.
Baldwin, in his own defence, said his daughter had told him to “go to h—,” and he had slapped her mouth, but he had never laid hands on his wife.
He had gone to his home after being discharged from the hospital, but was not given a very warm reception.
The evidence of the two daughters was taken to corroborate the mother’s testimony.
London Free Press article Circa 1918 from Allen Millar.
War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF 