GUARDS OFFICER RESIGNS COMMISSION BECAUSE HE IS TO MARRY AN ACTRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18938, 7 December 1929, Page 1

GUARDS OFFICER RESIGNS COMMISSION BECAUSE HE IS TO MARRY AN ACTRESS.

It Simply Isn’t Done —But The Theatrical Profession Object to Such “ Snobbery.” (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received December 7,11 a.m.) LONDON, December 6. Should an officer of the Guards or the Household Cavalry sacrifice his army career if he falls in love with an actress? This is a question which has arisen once more. Francis _ Francis, 23-year-old millionaire, who was a subaltern in the Royal Horse Guards, became engaged to Sunny Jarman, the American musical comedienne, playing at the Palace 'Theatre. Francis, in accordance with the custom of the Guards, immediately resigned his commission, the military authorities still regarding an actress as in the category of “ rogues and vagabonds.” But, as actresses are invited to the Royal Enclosure at Ascot and to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and have been created Dames of the British Empire, for instance Dame Nellie Melba, Dame Ellen Terry, and have even been elected to the House of Commons, for instance Mrs Phillipson, it is strange that the Brigade of Guards should consider itself contaminated by associating with the husband of an actress. Francis takes the decision philosophically. He says: “ It is the rule and I accept it.” Members of the theatrical profession, however, resent it as a form of snobbery.