James Samuel Teichmann aka Claude Limonaire

Claude Limonaire (Service No 3182) enlisted in Wollongong, N.S.W.

'Claude' had enlisted in Sydney in March 1916 but was discharged soon after on medical grounds.  At the time he claimed to have been born in Geraldton, Western Australia, and that he was married, 27 years old, worked as an engine driver and lived in Wollongong.

In fact, 'Claude's' real name was James Samuel Teichmann, he was 22 years old, and had been born in Queensland.

On 4th February 1914 using his real name, James married Rose Trims in Queensland and the couple had a child who died in 1915.

On 10th February 1916 he married Margaret Medaris in Bathurst, N.S.W., under the name Claude Limonaire.  Margaret gave birth to a daughter after 'Claude' embarked for overseas.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A72 Beltana with 45th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement on 25th November 1916.  The troops arrived in England on 29th January 1917 and 'Claude' served with the 45th Battalion Band until he joined D Company in France on 30th September 1917. 

He saw service on the Western Front until April 1918 when he was admitted to hospital in England for treatment of heart trouble. 

'Claude' was repatriated to Australia in June 1918 and discharged from the AIF, medically unfit, on 2nd September 1918.

He re-enlisted a third time, in late September 1918, again using the name Claude Limonaire, but this time stating he had been born in Paris, France.  He was discharged soon after, when the war ended.  Claude/ James did not return to Bathurst and his wife. 

On 12th February, 1919, he married Ellen Foster in Sydney.  In July 1920 he was arrested for attempted suicide, and then charged with bigamy. He plead guilty and was sentenced to 1 year gaol.  Margaret divorced him soon after.

After being released from gaol his family lost track of James/ Claude.

A letter from James' father, which can be found in 'Claude's' National Archives of Australia documents, states 'Claude's' real name.