Frank Carroll. Thrice Wounded Hero. Serial Wife-Beater.

On 29th June 1918 Elizabeth Carroll sought a legal separation from her husband, Sgt. Frank Carroll, 11th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, a man who had been wounded three times since landing on the Continent on 29th August 1915, including on 1st July 1916. The court heard of his persistent cruelty since their marriage in 1907, culminating in a violent assault on her in their home at 3 Glebe Street, Hucknall, on 11th June 1918.

The newspaper report does not make for pretty reading.

"Jealousy and violence figured in the evidence at the Shire Hall on Saturday [29th June 1918], when Francis Carroll, a Hucknall soldier, was summoned by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Carroll, for assault, and she also asked the magistrates to make her a separation order owing to his cruelty.

"Mrs. Carroll’s case was to the effect that during the whole of their married life Francis had treated her in a manner which was most cruel, while he was extremely jealous. Prior to joining the Army he was employed as a miner. He had been wounded in action on three occasions, and each time when convalescent he came home to his wife at Hucknall and thrashed her. Last month he came home on leave, and on June 11 entered her bedroom in a half drunken condition. He locked the door, pulled a razor out of his pocket, and holding it in the air like a bayonet, told her to make her will, as she was going to be killed. She asked him why he wished to kill her, and he replied he was tired of her. He next kicked her and nearly strangled her. She was on the borders of unconsciousness and to act as a reviver he forced water into her mouth. When she came round he gave her a thrashing, and finally kicked her downstairs. She screamed, and the children also made a noise, which attracted the attention of neighbours, who broke into the house. She was so exhausted as to necessitate being carried to her mother’s house.

"It was further stated that, as an instance of his jealousy, he sent the following letter to his wife from France: "You say that you are short of money. Well, you know how to make a bit. What love I had for you is now killed. I neither want to see you or hear your name again. Our ways are apart. There is nothing I want to return for." [Presumably he wasn’t suggesting that she take in washing.] Witness added that she left her husband in 1911 because of his jealousy.

"[The] defendant denied this long list of allegations made against him, and made some serious charges against his wife.

"The magistrates, however, did not take too much notice of the defendant, and ordered him to pay £1 per week maintenance to his wife, who is to have custody of the children." [1]

Unsurprisingly, Frank Carroll refused to make any payments, leading to a further court appearance, which led to his wife being granted a divorce - but not until December 1921.

[1] ‘Hucknall Dispatch’, 4th July 1918.