Gabrielle Ray – Marriage – The Leicester Daily Mercury – Friday 1st March 1912
MISS GABRIELLE RAY WEDDED
CEREMONY AT WINDSOR.
The marriage of Miss Gabrielle Ray, musical comedy actress, to Mr. Eric Loder, which was to have taken place at Windsor Roman Catholic Church yesterday, was solemnised there this morning. The bride motored from London with another lady. Only a few people were present at the ceremony.
The Leicester Daily Mercury – Friday 1st March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Wedding -The Birmingham Weekly Post – Saturday 2nd March 1912
MISS GABRIELLE RAY’S WEDDING.
BRIDE FAILS TO APPEAR.
SINGULAR AFFAIR
Miss Gabrielle Ray, the musical actress was not married yesterday. The general impression shared apparently the bridegroom – was her wedding Mr Eric Loder was to take place eleven o’clock at St Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor. A message from the Windsor correspondent of the “London Evening News” states that ceremony was fixed for the mentioned and Mr Loder was there, but after waiting for an hour he left in his motor car. The bridegroom did not enter the church but remained with Canon Longinotto, was to perform the ceremony. The organist arrived, and was ready to play the wedding march that had been specially written the occasion. The choir were there in their surplices, together with the registrar. After waiting for and hour the Canon sent word that the bride not yet arrived, and therefore present “had better leave the church.” The chancel was decorated with palms, arum lilies, white lilac, ferns, double stocks, and Cuban roses. Every preparation had made for a wedding, and it was understood that the bride would motor from London.
The mystery deepened as the result of an enquiry at noon by a Press representative at Miss Ray’s flat in Bolton Gardens, Kensington. He was informed by a maid that Miss Ray was at home, but after waiting a few minutes she returned with information that “I now find that Miss Ray is not at home.” At nine o’clock this morning a car containing three male friends the prospective bride and bridegroom called at Bolton Gardens. The men left the car and went to Ray’s flat. Shortly afterwards left with the expected bride. At noon another car called for Miss Ray in accordance with instructions. The chauffeur was informed that it would not be required.
Miss Gabrielle Ray, who is a little over 26 years of age, made her first appearance on the stage at the Princess’s Theatre on Oxford Street, as the child Geraldine in famous old play, “Green Bushes.” Other parts in connection with which Mr Eric Loder’s fiancée will be remembered were Thisbe in “The Orchid,” Lady Dorothy Congress in “The Little Cherub,” and So-Hie in “See-See” at Daly’s. Miss Gabrielle Ray was also one of the many “Merry Widows” engaged Mr George Edwardes to take the place of Miss Lily Elsie.
MERELY POSTPONED.
The Press Association says Miss Gabrielle Ray authorises the statement that she is ill in bed and the wedding is merely postponed.
The Birmingham Weekly Post – Saturday 2nd March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Wedding – Nuneaton Chronicle Friday – 1st March 1912
TOPICS OF THE WEEK
A veil of mystery surrounds the omission of Miss Gabrielle Ray to attend St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor yesterday in order to become the bride of Mr. Erie Loder. The bridegroom was there and, poor deluded mortal, waited one solid hour, but the musical comedy actress was otherwise engaged, and those present were told they “had better leave the church.” Investigation only tends to enshroud the matter still more, for at nine o’clock, two hours before the wedding, a motor car containing three friends of the prospective bride and bridegroom, called at Bolton Gardens, and shortly afterwards the gentlemen left Miss Ray’s flat, the expected bride accompanying them. It reminds one of the opening words of the chorus of the once-popular song, “There was I waiting at the church!”
Nuneaton Chronicle – Friday 1st March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Wedding – The Edinburgh Evening News – Friday 1st March 1912
The Wedding of Miss Gabrielle Ray
Miss Gabrielle Ray, the well-known musical comedy actress, who was married today at Windsor to Mr Erie Loder. The ceremony was to have taken plus yesterday, but the bride failed to put in an appearance. The church was decorated, the priest, registrar, and choir boys were present, and it was stated that the bridegroom attended, but Miss Ray was not forthcoming. It was stated later that she was lying ill in bed.
The Edinburgh Evening News – Friday 1st March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Wedding – The Newmarket Journal – Saturday 9th March 1912
MISS GABRIELLE RAY MARRIED.
Miss Gabrielle Ray, the musical comedy actress, whose wedding was at the last moment postponed on Thursday, was quietly married on the following day to Mr. Eric Loder, at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Edward, Windsor.
Nothing was known of the ceremony in the town until it was nearly over, and the only people present in the church were the registrar, the organist, the choir boys, and the head-mistress, teaching staff, and some of the girl pupils of St. Edward’s School.
The bride was dressed in a costume of cream serge, trimmed with braid, with a mauve slouch hat and a large fur. She carried a shower bouquet of Parma violets.
The names of the bride and bridegroom we entered in the register as “Eric Raymond Loder, twenty-three, independent means,” and “Gabrielle Elisabeth Clifford Cooke, twenty eight, spinster.”
The Newmarket Journal – Saturday 9th March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Wedding – Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper – Sunday 3rd March 1912
GABRIELLE RAY MARRIED.
Rapid Recovery from Illness which Caused Postponement.
WINDSOR CEREMONY.
Miss Gabrielle Ray, the musical comedy actress, provided another surprise on Friday in being quietly married to Mr. Eric Loder at St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor.
The ceremony was originally fixed for the previous day, but although the church was decorated and the bridegroom, the priest, the choir, and organist ready, there was no wedding because no bride came. The reason Miss Ray gave to curious inquirers at her London flat for her apparently strange action was that was too unwell to go through the ceremony. On Friday morning, however, she had so far recovered to be able to motor over to Windsor.
There were only half a dozen people in the pretty church besides a few schoolgirls and those assisting in the service.
The wedding party assembled at the rectory, and went through the garden to the vestry door shortly before eleven o’clock. The only view the crowd had was over a distant fence. Mr. Eric Loder, dressed in a lounge suit, was accompanied by Mr. Astley, the best man, Mr. Lacey, and Sir Edward Stewart-Richardson. They entered the church first, accompanied by Canon Longinotto, the officiating priest. The bride came in shortly afterwards, accompanied by Mrs. Nye, a friend. She wore a cream serge costume, trimmed with braid, and a large purple hat, and she carried a shower bouquet of Parma violets. Mrs. Nye wore a nary blue coat and skirt trimmed with cerise, with hat to match.
The register was signed as follows:
Eric Raymond Loder, twenty-three, bachelor, independent means, son of Alfred Basil Loder, deceased. Address, 44, Alma-road, New Windsor.
Gabrielle Elisabeth Clifford Cooke, twenty-eight, spinster, independent means, of 40, Coleherne-crescent, Kensington, W.
The honeymoon is to be spent in a world tour embracing Africa and India. Mr. and Mrs. Loder to be absent from England at least six months.
Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper – Sunday 3rd March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Marriage – Dartmouth and South Hams Chronicle – Friday 8th March 1912
A Picture-Postcard Favourite.
Miss. Gabrielle Ray, married on Friday in the Royal Borough of Windsor, might be called “The Queen of the Picture – Postcard” Something like 10,000,000 postcards, representing Miss Ray in thousands of poses, have been sold during the last, few years. Curiously enough, says the star, women and young girls are the principal purchasers of these cards, and the most popular pose is like one in which the pretty actress is dressed as the boy in Millais’ “Bubbles.” In addition to her picture-postcard popularity, Miss Ray is one of the most piquant personalities on the musical comedy stage. Her voice, though thin and piping, seems to have a peculiar fascination, while her dancing has a quality all its own.
Mr. Eric Loder.
The bridegroom, Mr. Eric is said to be a wealthy young man. He comes of a well-known sporting family, his uncle, Major Eustace Loder, having won the Derby with Spearmint. His brother, Mr. Basil Loder, resigned from the Army four years ago order to marry of Mr. Seymour Hicks’s “Gay Gordon” girls.
Dartmouth and South Hams Chronicle – Friday 8th March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Wedding – The Daily Mirror – Saturday 2nd March 1912
MISS GABRIELLE RAY CHANGES HER MIND AND GETS MARRIED YESTERDAY.
The bride entering the church by the back door.
The bride with her arm on the bridegroom’s shoulder.
Mr. Astley, Mr. Lacey (who is wearing a bowler hat), and Mrs. Nye.
Choir boy locking the gate to keep out the public.
Canon Longinotto, who performed the ceremony, arriving at the church.
Although Miss Gabrielle Ray, the musical comedy, stated that her wedding would not take place this week, she was quietly married at St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor, yesterday. The ceremony was fixed for Thursday, but the bride failed to appear at the church, and the bridegroom, Mr. Eric Loder, waited for her in vain. Mr. Lacey gave away the bride, who was attended by her friend, Mrs. Nye. Mr. Astley was best man. (Daily Mirror photographs.)
The Daily Mirror – Saturday 2nd March 1912
Gabrielle Ray – Wedding – The Express and Telegraph, Saturday, April 13th 1912
AN ACTRESS’ MARRIAGE.
PUBLIC LOCKED OUT.
Miss Gabrielle Ray, the charming musical comedy actress, provided surprise one day last month, in being quietly married to Mr. Eric Loder at St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor. The ceremony was originally fixed for the previous day, but although the church was decorated and the bridegroom, the priest, the choir, and the organist were ready, there was no wedding because no bride came.
The reason Miss Ray gave to curious enquirers at her London flat for her apparently strange action was that she was too unwell to go through the ceremony. The following morning, however, she had so far recovered as to be able to motor over to Windsor.
No one expected such a sudden recovery, and when the wedding party drove up at 10.30 to Canon Longinotto’s residence not a member of the faithful public was in sight. Mr. Loder lumped out of his car, and, taking Miss Ray’s arm, he led her into the house.
Choir Boys Sent For.
The decision to be married that morning seemed to have been arrived at very rapidly, for a wait had to be made while the organist, the registrar, and the choir boys were sent for. In about half an hour’s time they were collected. In even shorter time the public, in some mysterious way, had heard of what was happening, and by the time the wedding party was ready to leave the canon’s house many had assembled round about the house and the church. It was soon evident, however, that the bride and bridegroom were not in the least wishful for any popular demonstration, for the doors of the church were rigidly locked. The bride and bridegroom slipped stealthily through the canon’s kitchen garden to the back door of the church, and Mr. Loder held a big umbrella close down over Miss Ray’s head.
Just a Glimpse.
All that could be seen of her was that she was wearing a vivid mustard-coloured costume and carried a large bunch of violets. Glimpses of a soft mauve hat could also be occasionally caught. The service was a short one. Before the ceremony the bride and bridegroom sat down on chairs in front of the altar. They then advanced to the altar rails. Miss Ray made her responses in a clear voice, which could be heard throughout the church.
The register was signed as follows:-
Eric Raymond Loder, twenty-three, bachelor, independent means, son of Alfred Basil Loder, deceased. Address, 44, Alma road, New Windsor.
Gabrielle Elizabeth Clifford Cooke, twenty-eight, spinster, independent means, of 48, Coleherne-crescent, Kensington. W.
The same mysterious methods were observed after the wedding was over. Again the back door of the church was used and the kitchen garden traversed to the canon’s residence, where lunch was partaken of.
A last ruse was resorted to. About half-past twelve a big covered car was brought round to the back entrance of the canon’s house, while an open car took its stand outside the front door.
A World Tour.
The crowd, which had now swelled considerably, had no doubt at all that the open car was a blind, and hurried round to the back. But they were once again badly defeated, for Mr. and Mrs. Loder, both smiling, suddenly appeared at the front door, and hurriedly getting into the open car drove rapidly away. Perhaps they suddenly relented, or perhaps it was that they wanted to have a last laugh at the crowd, for the car, after going a little way, checked, swung round, and drove past the back door, right by the waiting crowd. As it was vanishing Mrs Loder turned round and waved a gloved hand to them. A few faint cheers were raised by the slightly dazed and bewildered public. The honeymoon is to be spent in a world tour, which embraces Africa and India, Mr and Mrs Loder are to be absent from England at least six months.
On their return they are to live in the country. Whether Mrs Loder will be seen on the stage again is another matter.
The Express and Telegraph, Saturday, April 13th 1912
William Austin Cook – The Liverpool Mail – Saturday 1st November 1873
MARRIAGES
Cook – Holden – Oct. 22, St. Ann’s, Stretford, by the Rev. John Newton, assisted by the Rev. Canon Formby, William Austin Cook, of Manchester and Hathersage, Derbyshire, to Annie, only child of the late Joseph Holden, Esq., of D’Urban, South Africa, and stepdaughter Thomas Marsden, Esq., Poplar house, Sale, Cheshire
The Liverpool Mail – Saturday 1st November 1873
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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