On This Day, 18 June 1918

Birmingham Daily Post 

Tuesday 18 June 1918

BIRMINGHAM POLICE COURT.

YESTERDAY.—Before the Stipendiary (Lord Ilkeston).

FAILING TO REGISTER

Martha Elizabeth Kaiser, housekeeper, 79, Francis Road, Edgbaston, was charged that she being a German subject failed to register under the Aliens Registration Order, and Philip Bamberger (59), boarding-house keeper, 79, Francis Road, Edgbaston, was charged with aiding and abetting her.

Detective-Superintendent Burnett said when he interviewed the woman she said her name was Elizabeth Bamberger, she having married Philip Bamberger at St. Pancras Registry Office on August 27, 1904. Witness then produced a photograph, and when she looked at it said, “That is the photograph of Elizabeth Martha Kaiser” and she replied “Yes, that’s me,” adding “My father’s name is Max Kaiser. He is German, was in England when the war broke out, and has since been sent home Germany. I was married to Bamberger on March 1, 1911, at the Registry Office, Edmonton. When I married Bamberger I knew his wife was alive.” Asked why she, an alien enemy, had not registered, she said “I didn’t like to. I have never done anyone any harm.”

Bamberger, when asked why he did not see that she registered, or inform the registration officer about it, replied “I married her; I have heard my wife died in New York.”

Mr. Norman Birkett, who defended, urged that had the marriage been a lawful one the woman would have become naturalised automatically.

The Stipendiary said regarded Bamberger as the worse offender, for, as a naturalised subject, he should have taken care to see that the woman was registered. He would be fined £20, or 51 days. Kaiser was fined £5, or 21 days. The Stipendiary granted 10 guineas special costs against Bamberger.