Kimpton bigamy charge - soldier formerly billeted at Harpenden

The Hertfordshire Advertiser, 6th January 1917

Transcript

At the Hitchin Petty Sessions on Tuesday before Mr W Tindell Lantus (chairman) and other justices.

Samuel Bowcutt (50), a discharged soldier of Tipton, Hertfordshire, until recently porter at the Federated Malay States Hospital, Kimpton, was charged with feloniously marrying Florence Jane Hobbs, at Kimpton, on April 1st, while his wife whom he married on March 29th 1891, was still alive.

Prisoner was defended by Mr George Passingham, solicitor, Hitchin.

Mrs Alice Lucy Bowcutt, of 10 Wellington Road, Tipton, a neatly dressed woman, who was allowed to remain seated, gave her evidence with some difficulty, and stated that she was married to prisoner on March 29th 1891 at West Bromwich. [A copy of the marriage certificate was produced, witness stating that her husband has the original].

She lived with him until he joined the Army in November 1914. He came from Ireland on furlough in April 1916 to attend her son’s wedding at Tipton. He was discharged from the Army in October 1916 and came home on the 17th, leaving on the 28th without saying where he was going. Witness had been receiving the separation allowance. She got a letter from him a few days after he left, and then heard no more. There was no reason for his leaving as they had always been comfortable at home.

Cross examined: There were two sons of the marriage, one aged 25 (in court) and another aged 22 (in France). She was now receiving 3s 6d a week from the latter and had applied for further assistance but had not had it yet. Ill health might have had something to do with the prisoner’s discharge from the Army.

Florence Jane Hobbs, of 19 Church Lane, Kimpton, who is about 26 years of age, and was dressed in black, having a baby with her, which was taken charge of by a friend, stated that on January 31st, 1915 she became acquainted with prisoner who was billeted at “Chilcombe” Milton Road, Harpenden, the home at which she was a servant. On April 1st 1916 she married him at Kimpton Church. Prisoner was then a soldier. He had three days leave from St Albans and lodged at her father’s home at Kimpton.

Afterwards, he visited her every week-end that he could. He went to Ireland on April 26th and came back on furlough for about eight days, she thought. Later he was stationed at Bradwell on Sea and said to come for week-ends. On October 31st 1916, he was discharged from the Army and came to live with her at Kimpton.

Superintendent Reed : Did you receive any separation allowance from the Army at all? – No sir.

I suppose he supported you in some way or other? – Yes, he was very good I will say, in that way. He used to send me money.

Witness said she was told that prisoner was a widower, and that was on the certificate (produced). A child by prisoner was born on August 5th last. At the time of his arrest prisoner was employed at the Federated Malay States Hospital, Blackmore End, Kimpton as an orderly or night watchman and attendant looking after the fires.

Cross examined: Prisoner told her he was discharged because he had very bad legs. He always used to say that his mother had the separation allowance.

P.c. Fordham gave evidence of the arrest. Prisoner was then formally charged and made no reply and the case was committed for trial at the next Hertford assizes.

Bail was allowed the Prisoner in £50 and two amounts of £25.

This page was added on 10/10/2014.

Add your comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!