EVENTFUL LIFE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 81, 30 December 1935, Page 10

EVENTFUL LIFE

Death of Robert Loraine ACTOR AND AIRMAN The reccntly-annouuceu death iu England of Mr. Robert Loraine, D. 5.0., M.C., a pioneer airman and the first to fly the Irish Sea, recalls his conspicuous service as a member of the Royal Air Force during the Great War. After gaining the M.C. and D.S.O. for conspicuous gallantry and skill, be became a lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Air Force. Mr. Loraine was on aerial scout duty at the front in France on October 26, 1915, when he spotted aud attacked a German Albatross plane, getting within fifteen yards of it. When the hostile plane dived, he dived after it, and followed it from a height of 6900 ft. to 600 ft. above the earth. The enemy pilot was hit, aud his camera and wireless transmitter were subsequently found to have bullet holes through them. The Albatross foil behind the British lines. It was for that feat that Robert Loraine was awarded the Military Cross. It was not until Birthday Honours iu 1917 that he was given the D.S.O. award. Flight, however, was only a side-line with Robert Loraine. Although he performed many deeds of rare daring and high courage in the air, he was best known to the English public as an actor of rare .parts. Kobert Loraine was bom al New Brighton, Cheshire, in January, 1876, being the son of Henry Loraine. His wife was Winifred Lydia Strongman (daughter of Sir Thomas Straugmau). Mr. Loraine made his first appearance ou the stage iu ISS9 in the provinces in “The Armada,” but did not arrive on the London stage until 1894, when he appeared iu “The Ne'er-Do-Well” at the •Jtraud Theatre. For some years he played iu drama, subsequently making good iu “The White Heather,” "The Great Ruby,” aud “Oue of the Best,” at Drury Laue. Iu 1599 he came under notice as D’Artagnan in a revival of “The Three Musketeers” at the Garrick. In 1901 he paid a visit to America, but soou returned to his beloved Londou, where his robust style aud romantic figure made him popular. The year 190-1 saw Mr. Loraine once more in America, where he remained for a year. Back iu Londou, he played Bluutclili iu a revival of “Arms and tlie Man” at the Haymarket, aud was also seen iu “Paid in Full,” “She Stoops to Conquer,” "The School for Scandal,” “The Rivals,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and (in 1914) “The Tyranny of Tears.” Then came the war. Mr. Loraine at once joined up with the Royal Flying Corps, and was wounded in action. He was promoted captain and subsequently lieutenant-colonel. Retiring from the Army in 1918, Mr. Loraine returned to the stage next year, making a notable success in “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Since then this actor has been seen in many plays, including J. Al. Barrie’s “Mary Rose,” a revival of “Tlie Prisoner of Zenda,” "The Mau with a Load of Mischief,” “Anns and the Man” ouec more,

"Taming of Hie Shrew,” “The Dance of Death,” “The Mau Who Changed His Name,” “This Thing Called Love,” "The Father.” and “Barbara’s Wedding.”

"When Air. Loraine revived "Cyrano de Borgerae” in London in 1.927, Miss Mary (Mollie) Pliiumer, formerly of the Wclington Repertory Theatre, was n member of the cast.