Gabrielle Ray – Divorce – The Birmingham Daily Post – Tuesday 29th July 1913

Gabrielle Ray – Divorce – The Dundee Evening Telegraph – Thursday 23rd July 1914

FORMER ACTRESSES IN THE DIVORCE COURT.

 The names of two former actresses, Gabrielle Ray (left in picture) and Maidie Hope (right in picture), appear on the cause list in the Divorce Court to-day. The former’s petition follows the application for order for restitution of conjugal rights, while the latter seeks restoration conjugal rights. Her husband is Mr. F. F. C. Dudley Ward.

The Dundee Evening Telegraph – Thursday 23^rd July 1914

Gabrielle Ray – Divorce – Bristol Times and Mirror – Friday 24th July 1914

AN ACTRESS’S PETITION

 Mr Justice Bargrave, in the Divorce Court yesterday, pronounced a decree nisi dissolving the marriage of Mrs Gabrielle Elizabeth Loder, better known Miss. Gabrielle Ray, musical comedy actress, on the ground of desertion and misconduct of her husband, Mr Eric Raymond Loder. Respondent entered no defence.

The Bristol Times and Mirror – Friday 24^th July 1914

Willian Austin Cook – Divorce – The Manchester Daily Examiner & Times – Wednesday 15th February 1893

 

Yesterday three local came were before Lord Justice Lopes and Sir Francis Jenne. The only one calling for notice was that of Cook v. Cook and Johnston. Neither party has come of the inquiry creditably. Mr. William Austin Cook has, it true, obtained the dissolution of his marriage which he sought, but not the “substantial” pecuniary solatium for the loss of his wife which his counsel urged the jury to give. The jury marked their opinion of the conduct of the husband by assessing his damages to one farthing.

 

The Manchester Daily Examiner & Times – Wednesday 15^th February 1893

 

Willian Austin Cook – Divorce – The Penny Illustrated Paper – Saturday 25th February 1893

 

Willian Austin Cook – Divorce – The Penny Illustrated Paper – Saturday 25th February 1893

Willian Austin Cook – London Standard – Wednesday 15th February 1893

 

PROBATE AND DIVORCE DIVISION.

(Before Lord Justice Lopes and a Special Jury.)

 

Cook v. Cook and Johnstone. – This was the petition of Mr. William Austin Cook, an ironmaster in Manchester, and a Justice of the Peace, for the dissolution of his marriage, on the ground of his wife’s adultery with the Co-respondent, a chartered accountant, and vice president of the Association of Chartered Accountants. – Mr. Dobbs appeared for the Petitioner, and the Co-respondent was represented by Mr. Shee, Q.C. – The Respondent did not file any answer to the charge. – Mr. Dobbs asked for heavy damages. – Mr. Shee said the conduct of the Petitioner in drawing up a separation deed in which no provision was made for the wife and children was such as to disentitle him to any damages at all. – The Jury returned a verdict that the Respondent and Co-respondent had committed adultery, and they assessed the damages at one farthing. – Upon these findings the Judge granted a decree nisi, with costs.

 

The London Evening Standard – Wednesday 15^th February 1893

Gabrielle Ray – Divorce – The Daily Mirror – Friday, 24th July 1914

 

Divorce – The Daily Mirror – 1914

Gabrielle Ray – Divorce – The Lancashire Evening Post – Thursday 23rd July 1914

MISS GABRIELLE RAY.

 DECREE NISI FOR MUSICAL

COMEDY ACTRESS.

 HUSBAND ENTERS NO

 DEFENCE.

 

The Divorce Court was crowded to-day when the suit of Mrs. Gabrielle Elizabeth Loder for the dissolution of her marriage with her husband, Mr. Eric Raymond Loder, was heard before Mr. Justice Bargrave Deane. The petitioner is the well-known musical comedy actress, Miss Gabrielle Ray, and Mr. Loder did not put in a defence. A restitution decree was granted to Mrs. Loder in July last by Mr. Justice Buckneil, Mr. Justice Bargrave Deane now pronounced a decree nisi for the dissolution of the marriage.

The petitioner was represented by Mr. Barnard, K.C., in front of whom she sat whilst he was briefly outlining her case. She was wearing a blue straw hat trimmed with white tulle. Her dress was of dark blue, and at her breast she wore a large pink flower. Mr. Barnard said the petitioner was married in March, 1912, at St. Edward’s Church, Windsor, to Mr. Raymond Loder. They lived together until February, 1913, when Mrs. Loder’s husband left her. The result was that the wife communicated with him, and on the 14th of March, 1913, she presented a petition for the restitution of conjugal rights. In that suit the whole of the facts were gone into, and letters were read and a decree of restitution was granted.

The decree was served on the 31st of July, 1913, but the husband had not complied. With regard to the misconduct, it appeared that Mr. Loder was watched during April, and on the night of the 1st o of M a y he was seen to go into the Great Western Hotel, Paddington, with a lady, and he stayed at the hotel for the night.

Detectives followed him, saw him go into the hotel, and enter his name in the hotel register. The detectives tried to get a bedroom in the hotel, but they were unable to, and consequently they watched. They saw Mr. Loder and the lady leave the hotel the next morning, and from the evidence which would be given there could be no doubt what took place between them as regarded the hotel.

Mr. Bernard added that an effort had been made to ket information from the hotel, but so far the hotel had not given it. They had subpoenaed someone from the hotel.

Mrs. Loder then entered the witness box. She quickly ran up the steps to the box, and gave her evidence in subdued tones. Occasionally there was a little emotion in her voice, but she was quite self-possessed during the short period she was answering the questions of her counsel.

She stated that she was married to Mr. Loder on the 1st of March, 1912, at St. Edward’s Church, Windsor.

Mr. Barnard: After the marriage did you live with your husband at the Cottage, Goring-on-Thames, and also at 18, Wellington Court, Knightsbridge? – Yes.

I believe there are no children of the marriage? – No.

I believe your husband left you on the 10th of February, 1913? – Yes.  – And afterwards you sent certain letters to, him and then commenced proceedings for the restitution of conjugal rights in March, 1913? – Yes. – I believe that suit was heard on the 28th of July, 1913, and that you obtained a decree of restitution? – Yes. – Has your husband ever complied with that decree? –  No. – I believe that then you gave your solicitor instructions to have your husband watched, and your solicitors communicated to you the result of the enquiries of May? – Yes. – Then you decided to take these proceedings?  – Yes.

Mrs. Loder then left he witness box and took a seat by the side of her solicitor in the body of the court. Mr. Barnard submitted to her the register of the Paddington Hotel, and she identified the signature “Mr. and Mrs. Loder” as that of her husband. Soon afterwards, and before the case had concluded, Mrs. Loder with her solicitor left the court.

Evidence was then given as to Mr. Loder and a lady being at the Paddington Hotel. Oliver Ranstead, assistant to a firm of private enquiry agents, he was instructed to keep a watch on the Berkeley Hotel to see if Mr. Loder was living there. On the 1st of May last he saw Mr. Loder leave the Berkeley Hotel in the morning and drive to the Adelphi Theatre.

He returned to the hotel at about one o’clock with a lady. Later witness saw the respondent drive to the Great Western Hotel, and witness and a man named Frederick Wise kept watch. Mr. Loder and the lady entered the hotel, and witness followed them. He heard Mr. Loder ask for a room, and saw him sign the hotel register.

 

The Lancashire Evening Post – Thursday 23^rd July 1914

 

Gabrielle Ray – Divorce – The Lancashire Evening Post – Friday 24th July 1914

MISS GABRIELLE RAY

MRS ERIC LODER, BETTER KNOWN AS GABRIELLE RAY,

THE GAIETY DANCER WHO WAS GRANTED A DECREE NISI YESTERDAY

 

The Lancashire Evening Post – Friday 24th July 1914

 

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 22^nd August 1914