Gabrielle Ray – Divorce – Modern Life – Saturday 22nd August 1914
Eric Loder “Keeps His Word!”
Gabrielle Ray has got her “decree,” and she and Eric Loder have parted for ever. Not much sympathy is usually felt for the parties in theatrical divorce suits, but the Loder-Ray case had certain aspects of an unusual character. We know the secret facts, so can tell frankly. Unlike most marriages of its kind, it was the pretty actress and not the Baronet’s son who was “in love.” Not that Eric Loder was not completely infatuated by his charming spouse before the marriage.
They were both terribly smitten, in fact.
The union didn’t last a year, however, and when Eric finally left his wife it was “for ever.” We told Gabrielle Ray that her husband never intended returning to her over a year ago, but she wouldn’t believe it, and after secured her “restitution” order she waited patiently and broken-heartedly for a full year to see if the wandering husband would return, in spite of our definite information that he wouldn’t. The fact that Eric had left his wife for ever was conveyed in these columns on August 16 of last year. Gabrielle had secured her restitution order in the previous month.
Where Eric’s Intentions are of Keen Interest.
This is what I said: “I learn that there is no probability of Mr. Eric Loder ever returning to Miss Gabrielle Ray. The marriage was one of love without sympathy. A sudden mad infatuation, maintained at a degree of theatrical tension which soon resulted in marriage, was found to be no bond at all when the jars of married life had to be surmounted. Eric Loder, being “in love,” boldly faced social ostracism, and the intense annoyance of his family, only to repent before he had been married a month.”
Under the order Eric Loder had fourteen days in which to return to his wife, and though she waited a whole year he never returned. They often met, however. They were even at picture balls together. But not as in the days of yore. Eric Loder remains one of the stage-door nuts, however. At the Adelphi his “intentions” are a subject of peculiar interest, now that he is free once more.
“Lucky Loder’s” Hard Luck!
Moreover, Eric Loder has just bees relieved of the “advice” of the most powerful of his relations. Poor Major Loder (“Lucky Loder,” they called him at Newmarket) had sympathy with his nephew. Women never had the Major “by the neck.” Eustace Loder was at one time in the 12th Lancers, but having done fifteen years without having seen a gun fired in anger or getting a single day on foreign service, he chucked the Army in disgust, and gave himself over to the Turf, with the wonderful luck which all the world knows. It was Major Eustace Loder who may be said to have sealed the Entente Cordiale.
An Historic “Double.”
That was in 1906, when the French President, Fallieres, grasped his hand, and congratulated him upon winning the Grand Prix with the same horse (Spearmint) which had won the Derby but a few weeks before – the first horse to do this “double” for thirty-tour years! Poor Eustace Loder often referred with some bitterness to his hard luck in never getting an opportunity of useful service during his fifteen years in the Army, and it is surely the keenest of ironies that had he lived another month that opportunity would have been his with his Imperial Yeomanry corps against the forces of the Deutschland!
Modern Life – Saturday 22nd August 1914
About
One of my main interests is a love of old pictures and postcards that give us a brief glimpse into a past and often forgotten age.
Collecting old postcard and pictures enables the viewer to glimpse a brief moment from that individual’s life; often far removed from their own either by the passage of time or social class. Social History, often described as “history from below” shows everyday people, their social structure and the interaction of different groups; like the wealthy and politicians these people helped shape and maintain society and so shape history.
Examining the images one can’t help but wonder how the individuals lived, were their lives hard compared with today and were they happy. Often the images come with little or no information that can answer these questions, one can only imagine.
With each image saved and seen by others, so that moment, that person is kept alive, our understanding is increased and so our lives are enriched.
A picture is often more descriptive than words can ever be, but how true is this, if a picture enables us to gain entry to another time, another world, will, like the view from a different window, even in the same house provide a different image?
These images allow a glimpse into another time, another era; but what preceded or followed this image? As the individuals were positioned and posed like an artist’s model is what we see truly reflective or like the slightly softened image of an aging beauty a less that truthful representation?
I am reminded of a documentary I watched several years ago regarding the returning troops from the front during the First World War. The camera images show a broken, demoralised sea of humanity, young men who having seen images that most of us hope never to witness had lost that sparkle; that zest which only youth has. But bring on the news camera and that battered returning group came to life, the smiles returned and even though muddied and bloodied their heads and bodies became erect, their arms swung in time and they demonstrated a swagger that spoke of courage, defiance and determination; an image that gave hope to the viewer.
It seems to me that even in the early days of photography all was not what it appeared and now in the advancing digital age a picture may paint a thousand words but will it be factual or fiction?
My interests And collections vary from Maids, Nuns, religious dress and the more risqué images of the French Maid. Often when searching for a particular subject the boundaries cross and as well as true Maids we find Edwardian actresses dressed as Nuns or Maids. During one of my searches I came across Gabrielle Ray dressed as a Maid, “Susan” in Lady Madcap and was instantly captivated by her.
Collecting the individual cards isn’t enough; I like to know more about the individual, which is easier when that person is an actress, although often the information is scarce
Searching for information about Miss Ray I discovered that she was one of the most photographed women of the Edwardian era and described in “Temps” as the most beautiful woman in the United Kingdom; but sadly her success, if measured by being visibly working or in the public eye was short-lived. She struggled with depression and alcohol abuse, and her health declined. In 1936, she suffered a complete mental breakdown and was institutionalized for nearly forty years; dying in 1973 at Holloway Sanatorium at the age of 90.
There are several other sites and blogs dedicated to the memory of Miss Ray and my intention is to share my small but growing collection of pictures and postcards with anyone who shares my interest. Reading about Miss Ray I was saddened that this lady, like many others before and since, after a brief moment in the sun they are soon forgotten. Hopefully as people view and enjoy this blog her memory will remain alive for a little longer.
I have started to write a short Biography about Miss Ray which I will try to update as frequently as possible. The Index page will show any updates under the Biography catagory.
I have also tried to link the various postcards and pictures to the plays in which Miss Ray appeared, however I realise, after several errors that this isn’t an easy task as many are decorative studio poses rather than production images. The individual Rotary, Philco and other publishers numbers are included with any description which should make searching for a particular card or ones from the same set easier. If I have made any glaring errors please feel free to let me know.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy my collection as much as I do.
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