Charles Thomas Prideaux – A long way from scandal

In the Old European Cemetery lies Charles Thomas Prideaux. Like his other companions in that quiet lonely place, he too died far from family.

SAD NEWS.-The many friends of Mrs. Chas. Prideaux and family, Lynton, will unite in sincere sympathy in the great bereavement which has befallen them by the death of Captain Tom, eldest son of Mrs. Prideaux which took place at Christmas Island. The sad news was cabled to his relatives at Lynton. “Captain Tom,” as he was familiarly known by a large circle of friends, had made great headway in the nautical world, and obtained a captain’s certificate at an early age. Deceased had, for the past three years, been in the employ of the famous Phosphate Co. of that Island and held the important post of pilot. The cause of his death is not yet known here, the cablegram conveying the sad news being a brief one. Capt. Prideaux was 35 years of age, and unmarried.

North Devon Journal, 30th June 1927

Charles obviously had an affinity with the sea, joining the merchant navy as a young man. For service during WW1, Charles received a British War Medal Ribbon in 1919 and in 1926 a Mercantile Marine Medal that was sent to him C/- Phosphate Company Christmas Island. The Mercantile Marine Medal was awarded if a mariner was on one or more voyages through a danger zone, or did service at sea for not less than six months between 4 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. All recipients were also awarded The British War Medal Ribbon.

In 1924 Charles was employed by the Christmas Island Phosphate Company (CIP Co.). It happened straight after a rather unfortunate period in his life. His new found position may well have been a fortuitous opportunity allowing for an escape from a scandalous event that occurred in his home town Lynton.

A few months before, Estelle Price, aged 24 visited Lynton with a char-a-banc party. On her way back to pick up the party she met the inebriated Charles Prideaux. There may have been an initial attraction but things went awry between the pair and another man near the site was alerted by Estelle’s shouting. It is not known what happened immediately after but a complaint of assault appears to have been made to the police. This would have been no small matter. It was the 1920s and Estelle would have been especially mindful of her own reputation given the circumstances. It would seem that rather than let the matter drop, she proceeded with her accusation of assault with confidence. Indeed, on the face of it, upon hearing evidence from Supt. Shutler and evidence from Charles himself at the County Police Court, the Bench, Messrs Hunt and Dunn concurred there was a case to answer and Charles was formerly charged with unlawful and indecent assault. 

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
Charles Thomas Prideaux, 31, single, of Lynton, ship’s officer in the Mercantile Marine, appeared on remand at the County Police Court, Barnstaple, on Monday, charged with an alleged serious offence in Lynton on June 11th. Having regard to the nature of the case, the general public were ordered out of the Court. Supt. Shutler outlined the case for the prosecution; accused was represented by Mr. M. J. McGahey, of Exeter.

After a few hours hearing, the Bench Messrs. F. W. Hunt (presiding) and W. Dunn consulted in private; and on their returning into Court, Prideaux, was charged with “unlawful and indecent assault”.

In reply, accused said “I have already given evidence, and what I have said is the truth!”

Prideaux was then committed for trial at Devon Quarter Sessions, bail being allowed.

North Devon Journal – 3rd July 1924

The next few of months would have been stressful ones for both Estelle Price and Charles Prideaux with the upcoming court case hanging over their heads. A lot was at stake.

LYNTON ASSAULT CASE
Charge Against Ship’s Officer at Devon Sessions.

At Devon Quarter Sessions on Thursday, Charles Thos. Prideaux a ship’s officer, Lynton, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Estelle Price at Lynton, on June 11th. Mr. H. E. Kingdon prosecuted, and accused was represented by Mr. R. E. Dummett.

Mr. Kingdon pointed out that complainant was most respectable and lived with her parents at Ilfracombe. On June 11th she went over to Lynton with a char-a-banc party. When brought before the magistrates, defendant made a statement, the effect of which was that he had done nothing against the girl’s will.

Miss Price said she met the defendant in the night-time, as she was on her way back to the Wesleyan Schoolroom, where she was to pick up the remainder of the party, and the alleged assault was committed.

Cross-examined by Mr. Dummett, witness admitted that she wanted to go for a walk with defendant. She further agreed that he was in drink at the time.

Harold Northcott, Ilfracombe, said he was attracted to the spot by loud shouts from the girl.

The Chairman, at this stage, asked the jury to find a verdict of “Not Guilty.” Defendant was accordingly acquitted.

North Devon Journal – 16th October 1924

The feelings of Estelle Price can only be guessed with the handing down of the “not guilty” verdict and no doubt, Charles Prideaux would have been immensely relieved.

During the trial Charles stated that he didn’t do anything against the girl’s will. And yet a witness, Harold Northcott, stated that he was attracted to the spot after hearing Estelle shouting. Was Harold Northcott part of Estelle’s party? He came from the same town. His testimony somewhat contradicts and casts doubt on Prideaux’s version of events. Immediately after Northcott’s testimony the case was shut down and the jury asked to find a verdict of “not guilty”. This seemed to be a sudden end and reading the above account, one wonders if something had been missed in the reporting. However, another article (see below) also confirmed Sir Trehawke, who was the Chairman, ending the proceedings and directing the jury. Was this because he felt the prosecution had not produced or was unlikely to produce enough evidence against Charles? Maybe any doubts arising from a witness testimony was simply not enough for a conviction? Alternatively, in 1920s England, could the standing and reputation of an accused outway the testimony of the alleged victim especially in a case where victim blaming may have been present in the minds of those sitting in judgement? Without knowing all the facts there can only be conjecture.

SECOND COURT.

Before Sir Trehawke Kekewich, Major Conran, and Mr. A. H. Matthews.

LYNTON CHARGES FAIL.

Charles Thomas Prideaux, 31, ship’s officer, pleaded not guilty to an assault on Estelle Price at Lynton on June 11th and not guilty to a common assault on the same person. Mr. H. E. Kingdon prosecuted and Mr. R. E. Dummett defended. After the girl and another witness for the prosecution had given evidence, the Chairman expressed the opinion that it was not a case which need go further, and, on his suggestion, a verdict of not guilty was returned. 

Now an exonerated man, Charles’ new employment with the CIP Co. would take him a long way from the scandal. A fresh start and new beginnings for a man in his prime. Unfortunately, his life would be cut short, being laid to rest on a remote lonely Island far from home just three years later.

If you liked this “Old European Cemetery” story there are more from that place that you can read about:

Benjamin Hobson – Lost in the Old European Cemetery
William Joseph Ryan – The man beneath the grave
Norman Howard – Turning in his grave
Sara Maude Robertson – Uncovering the real story

Every headstone in the Old European Cemetery now features in the Christmas Island Virtual Museum. They can be viewed by selecting the “All Types” filter at the top of the collection images and then “Headstone” from the drop down list.