Soldier Bigamist – Married at Denaby

January 1918

Soldier Bigamist  

Married at Denaby

The remanded charge, heard on Thursday, against Sgt Harold John Redfern Brown (27) of 10, third Avenue, station road, Ilkeston, of bigamously marrying Hilda Rose Street, daughter of a Hertford contractor, was investigated at Hants Assizes, before Mr Justice Coleridge, and prisoner was sentenced to 10 months in the second division.

Prisoners first wife, Muda Summerscales, whom he married at Denaby Main Parish Church, said her parents lived at North Cliff road, Conisbrough.

Mr Naldritt, for the prosecution, said prisoner was formally a superintendent of traffic at a colliery in Yorkshire. He got to know Mrs Street while he was an instructor at Hertford Barracks. Defendant did not provide any house at Hertford, but stayed with Miss Street´s people until the end of the month when he went away, being subsequently arrested.

Prisoner explained his wearing the army medals by stating that he had been recommended for the distinction and was told he could wear them. He had been wounded at Ephy and Havercourt, at the latter place taking rations into the lines.

Dr Griffiths, of Brixton prison, said prisoner had a scar on the right side of his head, and he had undoubtedly received some injury. Healso showed some evidence of neurasthinia.

Sgt Martin said prisoner had complained to him of the loss of memory.

Mr Waldritt said it was a fact that prisoner complained of pains in his head and loss of memory when admitted to the V.A.D.Hospital at Hertford.

In passing sentence the judge said before the magistrates, prisoners defence was that his wife had been unfaithful, which was denied and that showed that he had not forgotten about her.

Whatever neurasthenia he suffered from, had not destroyed or even weakened his memory.

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