Many, many, thanks from me, too, Forfarian. You've enabled us to lay a load of 'ghosts' and dismiss the fanciful folklore with which our Victorian and Edwardian ancestors shrouded our family history .....
By claiming to be a bachelor in 1934, James would not have been required to submit evidence of marital status. He probably felt 'safe' from further exposure at that time of his life, whether or not he knew of Charlotte's continued existence. Marriage to Elizabeth, albeit bigamous, was a small risk to take at the age of 76 for the woman who had stuck by him for 40 years and raised to adulthood 15 of his 20 known children!
