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WAIST TU TLTA K1V11 TrlKL cStill a mere girl, shy, with a mop of br0wn curls and rosy cheeks, Eunice Winifred Brankstone, of Cor rig in, was only 17 when she gave birth to a stillborn baby of which, she said, Leonard Gilchrist Cooper, a chemist of Corrigin, was the father. Cooperstrongly denied parentage.Middle-aged, motherly, and a cheerful soul, it was the girl’s mother, Mrs. Grace Brankstone who accused Cooper to his face, an accusation which, the chemist said, met with another denial. But it was left to the girl's father, returned soldier wheat farmer Henry Brankstone, to sue this week for £70 special damages and £200 damages for the alleged seduction and loss of services of his daughter. And when Brankstone made his claim he paved the way for intricate legal and medical arguments that lasted two days.“I don’t want money,” said the farmer in answer to a question, “that was the last thing that entered my mind.I only want to clear my girl’s name.”Distasteful as it obviously was, Eunice Brankstone had to recall for the judge the events which, she alleged, led up to her seduction by the chemist.)enies:usationsccur. Three times the girl’s deny ever admitting having r Eunice.”in chemist Leonard Gilchrist n that he had been intimate one and become the father ofThree BowsPoliteness, in these hustle-bustle days, is almost a lost art. And it is often said that Britishers have a lot to learn from other nations in thatrespect.Few could give a lesson to Corrl-gin doctor A. Einlcovlcl. It wts he who. In the allogod seduction case, told what a good girl Eunice Brankstone was and how he would take her hack Into h*» services tomor-Into the witness ho* the doctor stepped, stood strictly to attention for a second or two. then bowed swoeplngty to the judge. Mr. Jus-ttee Dwyer acknowledged the court-esy.Then the judge's associate. Mr. Earl Arney. approached to swear the witness in, and Dr. Einicovici bowed politely to him. The associate hesitated a brief second, thenThen as Solicitor Stoddart stood up about to begin his questioning, the doctor pivoted on his hoel. laced the lawyer, and bowed politely again. Mr. Stoddart returned the salvation.Then Dr. Elnlcovkf sat down, forgetting to kiss the Bible. When he suddenly remembered the omission. he took hold of the Holy Book from where he sat and completed the oath.She had met Cooper, she said, some time previously, and was very friendly with him. He asked could he bo my boy friend and go out with me. she went on.It was on February 15 last year that, according to the girl* atory, she and I-eo-nard Cooper went for a walk. It was a hot night, and about 11 p.m. they return'd. then reclined on the la« u outside Dr. Einicovici’* house.“Suddenly he pushed me backwards and tore my clothe*. 1 tried to or ream, but he clapped ln» hand oxer my mouth. 1 was be 1 plea*, and ...”Eunice Branl-alone bunt her head and got no further. Furtively she dabbed a handkerchief to her eyes, while Mr. Stoddart prompted her. Come now. he said. tell the court what happened.«iYES, HE DID»*Still tha girl hung her head and was silent while the Court waited till fin. ally His Honor asked her the blunt question and she nodded, Yes. he did.Then, why don't you say so? asked tha judge.For 10 minute* or a quarter of an hour they were together, Eunice Brankaione •and, then ebe told Cooper he nu not the mun »he had believed nun to be.“Why didn't you scream? queued Mi. O’Sullivan. H you'd acreamed. enrely somebody would have heard you?—I tried to. but he held hu band over my mouth.“It was the first time Cooper bad ever tried to do anything like that. the girl added.Mr. O'Sullivan: You used to go out to dances « hen you were very youug?—Only in family parties.You were always on good terms w itli Dr. Einicovici end !• wife, why didn't you mention the incident to them?—1 don't know.When did yon realise for the first tiior you were going to have e beby?—It war aft«*r August.That was only three rnontha before the baby was bom?—Yew.“THAT'S NOT TRUE99I’m not mentioning names. said Mr. O'Sullivan, but I'm going to sug-oest somebody ebe but Cooper was the father.—That's not true.When were you a debutante?—On May 12 NOBAfter wmie argument on medic*} lines and also as to whether Eunice Blank-stone‘t» father could be considered beT master and could be said to have differed m a result of rhe loss of her *or-vices, the case was adjourned ainc die It is expected that fudgment wif' be given early next week.MR. RALPH STODDARTCounsel for plaintiff.“OTHERS KNEW BEFORE ME ”Only once during hi»
Newspaper Details
Perth Mirror
Perth, Western Australia, AU
Sat, May 24, 1941
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Diane M.
AU 04 Jul 2023
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