JEAN ALWIN’S CHOICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 1 August 1924, Page 5

JEAN ALWIN’S CHOICE

ACTRESS AND COMPOSER

GALLANT SOLDIER’S WIFE

UNDEFENDED DIVORCE SUIT

In a flat at Chelsea occurred an incident which first sowed seeds of suspicion in the heart of the husband of Jean Ay Iwin, the actress, who off the stage is Mrs Jean Isabella Griffin Rawlinson. It played a significant part in the events leading up to the- dissolution of her marriage with Colonel Alfred Rawlinson, C.M.G., G.8.E., D.S.O. Colonel Rawlinson petitioned for a divorce, citing as co-respondent Mr Hubert Bath, music composer. Both respondent and co-respondent filed answers to the charges, but there were later withdrawn, and the case therefore was undefended. Colonel Rawlinson, giving evidence, stated he was married in 1913, and lived happily with his wife until April last year. She was then playing in “Polly” at the Chelsea Theatre. At her request, and for her convenience, he took a flat for her in King’s road, Chelsea, opposite the theatre.' On April 13, 1923, he called at the flat with the object of taking respondent to luncheon. He found Mr Bath there, and tho explanation offered was that co-respondent had called about the music in the play, which, witness understood, he had written.

THE INVITATION. TO LUNCH

Mr G'otes-Precdy, for petitioner: Did you take your wife out to lunch?

Witness: No, she would not go, explaining that she was unwell* and wished to rest. Witness then invited Mr Bath to luncheon, but the latter pleaded that he had another engagement. Witness said that later in the afternoon he called again at the flat and tried his wife’s door, whioh was locked, and failed to get an answer. He entered another room, and was writing a note when Mr Bath came in, saying he had just arrived. Witness told him iMrs Rawlinson’s door was locked and that he could not get an answer. Co-respondent remarked: “Oh, perhaps I can make her answer.” He called out, andtbe answer came, “Ha# he gone?” That, added petitioner, was the first time his suspicions were aroused. On May sho called upon his wife at their home at Cricklewood, and learnt that Mr Bath was going there for dinner. He rang up the theatre where co-respondent was employed, and left a message that he would" not have him in his house at that or any other time. Later he received more information and filed his petition.

LETTER EROM RESPONDENT

Petitioner added that he had had a letter from his wife saying Dear Toby,—l have written to Hubert Bath s solicitor, and said I will withdraw my defence, so please arrange to get this all over quickly for Mrs Bath’s sake and H.B.’s. Try and not worry over all this, Toby. I daresay we will both got over it in time, and I don t want ever to think ill of you, as in many ways you have been a very good husband to me—Jean.” After other evidence had been given a decree nisi was pronounced, with costs against co-respondent. Jean Avlwin made her name as a singer of -Scottish songs at the Gaiety, London. Her husband —a brothel' of Lord Rawlinson —is a gallant soldier, who was a prisoner in Turkey during the war. He was very ill upon his return home, and was devotedly nursed by his wife. They spent a great deal of time in the south of France, wherethe Duke of Westminster lent them a villa.