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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 496

A most unusual pair awarded to Station Sergeant J. Colby, Metropolitan Police, who was taken to court by a disgruntled lover for breach of promise - Colby was forced to pay a substantial fine for his indiscretions

Jubilee 1887, 1 clasp, 1897, Metropolitan Police (PC, J. Colby. C. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.S. J. Colby. X. Div.), mounted as worn, good very fine (2)

Jeremiah Colby was born on 24 September 1864 at Pakefield, Suffolk, the son of fish merchant Jeremiah Colby of Belvoir Villa, Church Road, Lowestoft, owner of the Young Albert fishing vessel. Joining Old Scotland Yard on 11 February 1886, the 1901 census of England records Jeremiah as living at 'A Block' Police Quarter, Bull Point, Devonport, together with five Police Constables. Soon thereafter, he found himself the focus of considerable national press attention when 'secrets' in his personal life were laid bare:

'Broken Promises

At the London Sheriff's Court to-day, Miss Fanny Everett, an upper housemaid, was awarded £150 damages against Jeremiah Colby, a station sergeant in the Metropolitan Police, at Carlton-terrace Station, Paddington, for breach of promise - Counsel stated that the parties first met in 1890. Twelve months later defendant proposed and was accepted. Defendant for some years did duty at Devonport and loving correspondence ensued. He returned to London last year, and then spoke of some dreadful secret which prevented their marriage for many years. The fact was, defendant married another woman, but up to February last he led plaintiff to believe he would marry her' (The Nottingham Evening Post, 6 June 1902, refers).

In one letter, Sergeant Colby said:

''My Darling Fanny - I was so tired on getting here. I had nothing to eat or drink, but I did not feel I wanted it, because, my darling, I was thinking of you - Your ever loving Jerry' (The Yorkshire Telegraph and Star, refers).

When read aloud to the court, the letter was met with public laughter (The Manchester Evening News, refers).

As a matter of fact, Colby had married another woman in July 1901 - which he later admitted by letter - and had managed to string Miss Everett along for eleven years (The Lakes Herald, refers). The fine was a not insignificant sum given the salary paid to a Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police at that time. He was also required to pay costs:

'The plaintiff, a good-looking young woman, fashionably dressed, said she had expended £50 in clothing and furniture for her marriage, and had also spent £34 in having them stored. The defendant earned £2 7s. 5d. a week and had an endowment policy of insurance for £180, falling due at the age of forty-five. He was now thirty-nine' (The Lakes Herald, refers).

His conduct described as 'most heartless' by the learned Under Sheriff, Colby held his employment in the police force a further decade before resigning as Station Sergeant attached to 'X' Division at Kilburn on 13 February 1912. Entitled to a pension of £92 3s. 8d. per annum, he gave his address on discharge as 17 Elthorne Park Road, Hanwell. Remarkably, his discharge papers note that he is married… to 'Fanny Colby (Wife)'. Despite both women sharing the name 'Fanny', the evidence points towards a wedding at St Jude, Kensal Green on 15 August 1901 to a Miss Fanny Balson, the daughter of naval pensioner John Balson, rather than a reconciliation with Miss Everett; sold with copied pension register and newspaper articles.


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Sold for
£160

Starting price
£60