BREACH OF PROMISE

Shannon News, 8 October 1926, Page 1

BREACH OF PROMISE

£IOO DAMAGES FOB GIRD CLERK. JILTED AFTER THREE YEARS. An action for breach of promise of marriage brought by Miss Blanche Atheleen Marie Buckingham, a bank clerk, against Stanley le Page Thomas, a musician, of Kensington, came before a jury at the UnderSheriff’s Court, London, for assessment of damages. ,Mr. John Carnegie, solicitor for Miss Buckingham, explained that the couple became engaged in 1923, when they were living at Southend. As they were both employed in London they arranged to come to London, and live in the' sam e boardinghouse. About three months ago Miss Buckingham noticed that Mr. Thomas’ affections were cooling, and when she; spoke to him about it he /admitted that there was another woman in the. case. , ‘ She called upon him to fulfill his promise of marriage and lj.e declined. Ho has not entered any appearance to the writ, but had written saying he had no money. “I. Cry and Cry.” In January, 1925, Mr Thomas wrote to Miss Buckingham from West Cromwell Road: — “Darling.—Depressed is not the word for my feelings at the moment. I hardly know what to do with myself j All I can do is to lay my head well into the pillow and cry and cry like a child at the thought that after all this' time we might not marry. To me life would be absolutely empty, and there would be nothing to work for or care for ,and the thought of all this is nearly driving me mad. I could not and would not live the rest of my, life alone. I must have someone to live for and work for. Do you realise that everything I do, right or wrong, is only because I love you more than words can express? Would it be possible’ for me to get a real love letter from you soon? Oh, for the old Southend days when we first met and use to fly off umpteen miles just to be alone together! Oh, Rabbit, be human, do. With all the love I am capable of giving.—Stan. In June Miss Buckingham wrote to him asking his intentions, and, as he did not reply, w r rote again, registering the letter. He then replied: “Dear Bunty.—So sorry not to have answered ypur ’ letter before. After du e consideration I think it best if we finished. I would only break down, and so w r ould you if we met:” Replying tb a solicitor’s letter, Mr. Thomas 1 wrote direct to Miss Buckingham, saying: “Your solicitors seem to be quite at sea, I have not refused to carry out my promise. Moreover, what damages do you expect to get, taking into consideration the fact that I owe you money ? Also, do you wish to make an unhappy marriage?” Whep he was served with the writ Mr Thomas wrote that he was out of work, not a penny was coming in, and it was only by the kindness of his father that he nvas able to keep the. office open. Apparently /he ran a band agency, under the name of Stanley Lepage, in Leicester Square, and also played the drum. He had been on a motor tour with another woman. Miss Buckingham said x slie had spent £3O on her trousseau. The jury returned a verdict for £IOO damages, and judgment was entered accordingly with costs.