ACTRESS AND HUSBAND

Evening Star, Issue 16992, 14 March 1919, Page 4

ACTRESS AND HUSBAND

The petition of Mrs Madeleine Thoordorothy Roid-Kellett, well known on the stage as Miss Madeleine Seymour, for a judicial separation from her husband, Major Alan Gerald Roid-Kellett, a Now Zealander, on the ground tliat ho dragged her out of bed and thrashed her on November 6, 1917, with his Sam Browne belt, was concluded before Mr Justice Horridge, in the Divorce Court, in London recently. The petitioner, in the witness box, had said the first trouble arose because respondent said he thought she ought not to send photos to other men now she was married, and he was fighting in the trenches while “ elderly blighters who did not fight were enjoying her smiles" at home. She admitted she borrowed £4OO on a necklace from “a friend” in the theatrical world, of whom her husband seemed to bo jealous, bub from whom ho hoped to get a home job. In May, 1917, after her husband had taken an oath on a crucifix to behave better, she continued to live with him, but constant rows folrowed. The cruelty alleged was denied. Further cross-examined, Miss Seymour denied that she ever objected to her husband wearing his uniform, or objected to bis mufti clothes. She said she never told him that she did not want her maid to think she was mad enough to marry a man who was too poor to dress well. Your husband offered you a separation deed?—llo did. Are these proceedings brought in. the hope of being able to found further proceedings ?—I don’t want to live with him again. Do you want to get a divorce?—l don’t want to bo tied all my life to a man I dont’ love. Then your answer is Yes?—T hope so. Major Alan Gerald Roid-Kellett said he had the Military Cross end the Croix de Guerre, and had been recommended for the D.S’.O. and the Legion of Honor. When they became engaged the petitioner knew that he had only his pay, £228, which, with allowances, came to nearly £3OO a year. He gave her all the money that ho could spare. In April, 1917, lie came horns on leave, and they had some words at dinner at the Carlton. She told him that ho was a tic on her—that being married made it difficult for her to gel engagements, and that ho must let her go, because, unless she were flighty, she could not get on on the stage. Ho did not like her being photographed without hor wedding ring, and she replied that it was unlucky. In cross-examination witness said that ho did not take off his belt with the intention of hitting his wife. It had been off him for some hours. Ho was not a Jealous man. Ho was terribly sorry for whnt he did, and he admitted that ho was in a rotten state c-f nerves. After fnrthe.r evidence, addresses by counsel, and the Judge’s summing up, the petition wss dismissed.