Soldier must pay jilted fiancée 500

THE breach of promise action brought against Second Lieutenant Sydney William Kennard, of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, by Miss Lily Chick, of Bristol, a typist, has ended in a verdict for £563 damages.

In her evidence, Miss Chick had stated that they became engaged in 1904 and there had been over 2,000 love-letters. Last Christmas she spent at the officer’s mother’s house.

There she found Miss ethel Gillett, a sister of a captain in his regiment, whom he had also invited. In January Miss Chick saw the announcement of Lieut Kennard’s marriage to Miss Gillett.

Cross-examined by Mr Haldin, KC, Lt Kennard said that before last Christmas there was an understanding between himself and Miss Gillett that if Miss Chick would release him he would marry her.

Mr Haldin then asked: ‘ What right had you to ask the lady with whom you had an understanding to come to your mother’s house at Christmas and stay in the same room as the lady with whom you were engaged to be married?’

Lt Kennard replied: ‘I did not ask her. Her mother and father and brother came to see us, and she came to join us at my sister’s instigation.’

Mr Haldin: ‘ On January 30, you wrote to Miss Chick: “Don’t think me more of a skunk, baby, than you can help. Up to the time of leaving you last I intended carrying out my obligations”

Lt Kennard: ‘That is true. I saw her last on December 27.’

Mr Haldin: ‘Did you intend to have a harem?’ Lt Kennard: ‘No, indeed.’ Mr Haldin: ‘ Then how were you to carry out your obligation to her on December 27 if you had then an understanding to marry Miss Gillett?’

Lt Kennard: ‘I was not married till the end of January and my engagement lasted only 36 hours.’

Mr Justice Coleridge, summing up, said the jury might perhaps think that Miss Chick was well rid of the defendant, but that was no reason for diminution of damages.