Married his second wife while still married to his first wife. Returned to Germany in May 1914 to start a business. World War I broke out that August, leaving him stranded, and his family in England unable to join him. After Alois married Hedwig Heidemann in 1916, Bridget Hitler was informed that her husband was dead. Alois was prosecuted for bigamy in 1924, but acquitted due to Bridget's intervention. His son by Hedwig died in a Soviet prison in 1942 after being captured on the Eastern Front. Alois was arrested by the British after World War II, but released when it was clear he had nothing to do with the Nazi regime.