1957-08-10 — Page 8

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1957.

Sylvia Ashley Story the secret drama of her first marriage

·

Sylvia's 'dead' father is the uninvited wedding guest

THE news that he had

his

Teen declared dead on wedding. daughter's licence application stunned Arthur Hawkes. He couldn' believe it. There had to be some mistake.

were circulating wildly. The wedding had been Erranged for 11.30- but when that hour struck there was no sign of either the bride or the groom.

man:

was

Other guests were there: Archie Campbell, who

Richard to be best Norton (later Lord Grant- ley) Sylvin's mother and sister Vera; Heather Thatcher and Dorothy Fleid.

And upstairs in the gal- lery, Arthur Hawkes the man who was supposed to be dead. He had arrived quietly at the church with a friend, determined to Hee his daughter's proudest mo- the But there was no mis- ment. He sat us merr

back as possible. take.

No relations of

the bride-

The pew

In Wharncliffe Gardens, the big block of flats where groom were there. Sylvia had spent her child- set aside for them was empty. hood, the news went from A ittle Inter Beather Thalche

and Dorothy Fichi slippre

door to door. That warm- across and sat in it. hearted community was

shattered.

Then

EL Woman

Twenty minutes after the apputuled time there was still friend no sign of the bride.

said to Hawkes: "You must go to the church. Sylvia is still your daughter."

Mit

in

Tension mounted.

THE MAN they maid was dead. Arthur Hawken. Sylvin's father. Once a horse-keeper. donnant at a block of

Bats.

Inter a

by RODERICK MANN

kept, pn her London fat to continue enjoying them.

Sylvia, who had, the columa- ists claimed, "a way of talking that would fascinate an anchorite," pulled off one social coup after another.

She the

was

She appeared at every social function of importance. became the darling of

She drawing-rooms. pictured talking 10 Priner George at a midnight ballet party.

And, most notable coup of all, she danced with the Prince of Wales at the Cafe de Paris.

It seemed she could do по wrong.

But soon it became noficcable that Lord Ashley was by her side less and less.

It

Invariably the

was "Lady Ashley n balt"; never "Lord and Lady Ashley,"

Only * few close knew the truth.

w08

After loss than a year to

the 'marriage gether Latters.

Was

in

Even her finger-nails wore Campbell on the line-with an the subject મ a eulogistic Invitation. ertele-they are so essentially

Jeminine."

Dorothy and her husband had brcome close friends of Douglas (he was god- When she shrieked because a Fairbanks sen.

and window blew open suddenly at father to their son Colin) the Casino at Le Touquet- were spending much time with

column. rated half

When him. she appeared In a restaurant with diamond bracelets reaching from her wrist to her almost

got another half elbow, column.

she

M

Even the fact that she wore a bright red dress at New market W considered im portant. And when she gave alumehoon party at an oyster bar in Molton Mowbray after the Melion Hunt Ball, she made every column in London,

THE CAR ACE

amid

On the day of the phone call. they were getting up a theatre parly with their mutual friend, Alm actor Harold Lloyd.

"What about a partner for me?" boomed Fairbanka. "Rag up that girl friend of yours, Dorothy, "What's her ΠΑΣΤΟ Sybu?”

"Sylvia," corrected Dorothy.

Fair- "That's right," said banks. "Ring her up; ask her to join us."

They went

to the

SHE to a legend, What other women of our time can match her glittering prograus from humble back streats to the peak of cosmopolitan society ?

SHE han had many names and tities, Sha was Edith Hawkes, of. Paddington. Edith Hawkes became Miss Sylvie Hawkus, of the Midnight Faillan, Mins Sylvia Hawkes mørrlad Into the nobility and became LADY ASHLEY,

CHE ti so that fitie, despite four subsequent must-headlined marriages. Tha wedding by which she acquired It was fiercely opposed by the bridegroom's aristo- orallo father. And Sylvia's father, Arthur Hawkes 2 He was jose aristocratic. He worked sa a horas-keeper. To him, on the wedding morning, want a strange message: "They are saying that you are dead...."

Douglas had dressing room, with panels from a Ming tample.

It was fabulous,

Chinese-style co-respondent in divorce, pro- ceedings... "His valec broke. For a man lang areudomed to the heart-warming adulation of his fans, it was a sorry time.

"What will you do, Mary?"

"Nothing, Douglas."

To the Alm colony, an invita- tion to Pickfair was considered just as important ns a summons o Buckingham Palace.

Footmen in knee breechts and gold braided coals (one man to cach guest) served dinner. The menus were always' engraved.

The conversation was spark- ling, witty, erudite.

"I'm so grateful, Mary," he said.

"The way you've ɛlood by and put up with it all.

Не hung up and walked sadly down to the bar.

Three months later, some of All this, however, had begun his bumptiousness returned. He

decided to mako to pall on Fairbanks.

The Private Life of Don Juan for Alax Korda. It was to be Almed at Tistree and Fairbanks rented a country eatate, North Mimms Park, hear by.

WARNING

It was a magnificent place, land-

standing in beautifully scaped grounds. There were 20

WEEK or two bofore-at theatre A the Hyde Park Hotel, where logether; n happy, carefree lio was staying he had cold;

"I like it here. I' ko to gardeners, and it took a private party.

army to run the house. Fair- banka pald £150 a week for it.

Every week-end the was filled with guests. And all terribly gay. Ashley was always there.

Sylvi was captivated by Foirbanks.

stay.'

to

on the

"Why don't you?" asked.

ABOUT this time she met Sir A Henry "Tim" Biride, the

ho was frlends famous racing driver.

Birkin,

slight

good-

"Mary would divorce mo," looking and with an attractive It is important

realise said Fairbanks, looking glumly stammer.

33. He was what an impression this screen down on his white spate. Was driver of Dorothy plant must have made principat

Despite this he began spend- Paget's famous Bentley racing gentle Sylvia. Though past his

and more time in Soon everyone was to know, icah. Soon he and Sylvia were prime as a motion pleture stor, Ing more Sylvia revolied in the title of on July 17, 1028--18

Hollywood Europe. he symbolised months seen everywhere together. Ashley. now I Lady

Overnight she become important...... ☎ had person to be reckoned with in the social scene.

HER MISTAKE

RCHE

CAMPBELL

toll

Hawkes nodded. "I will the gallery," he said. "Nobody will see me A reporters: "Even

I do not know whether he there or know who

wedding will take place." am."

Then, at five minutes to 12. Sylvia, packing for the Lord

And Ashley come in.

#1 a site honeymoon at a flat in West Sylvia appeared' Halkin Street. Belgravia, entrance. knew nothing of the drama that was being played out.

Thir atar of the film Dougins Fairbanks Bentor....

And the taste of such fame was pleasant in her mouth.

At the end of her honeymoon "I belong The ceremony began. And it in Cannes she said: went smoothly enough, though to my husband now, Despite my from time to time many eyes love for the theatre and the

Heather Thatcher, her turned towards the doors, friend from the Winter

But nothing happened. Garden show, burst in to help her.

FURIOUS

"HAPPY the bride the sun

shines on

she

cried. Sylvia pat her, hands to her lips.

“Bl

of

of

The ceremony over, Ashley 2nd his bride went into the

estry to sign the register.

many engagements offered me since my wedding. I do not Intend to appear on the slago egain."

FETED

the

Sylvia

was

nervous, impatient. She signed the book

Instead of QHE

hid "Sylvin

abandoned Ashley with her malden name, #5 theatre butwith her good required. The vicar, Mr friend Mrs Dorothy Campbell- Francis Leith Boyd, asked her the continued to take part in affairs, And every- to sign again and initialled the charity correction in the margin,

where she went she was leted and adored.

ex- khe

houso

It was Sylvla

It couldn't go on, of course. The glaro of publicity

marriage that was to break up in less than a year

The phone rings: 'Would you

like to meet

Fairbanks?'

Then they walked down the ... he's in there."

ariste.

bundsome }}

couple:

Gurgled London evening "Lady Ashley is HE was the

Ashley in moming dress with a paper: Earl

potka-dot tie; she in her white treinely popular becmUSE Shaftesbury father

salin gown, made by her old has a sympathelle personality, a who Lord Ashley

haud dressmaker friend from Wharn- pleasant way of inking and a ofter

Bumber of delightful manner- leaped driven from his home in elite Gardens, Pauline Godwin,

isms Some of her gestures columns on to the front pages. Dorset in a desperate, last-

16 the crowd outside the

have a classical charm. I need minute attempt to stop the church Arthur Hawkes stood

Fo tell you how important with his friend. They had come wedding.

from the gallery while the gestures are...

No, indeed.

A moment later, white couple were signing the register. faced and in a towering "Go on," the woman said, rage, the carf stormed out as Sylvia and Ashley appeared. problem arose. Lord Ashley, of the flat.

"She's your. daughter,

Outside in Weet Hulkin

joined Strect, he

the countess who had been pacing

tho up and down pavement while her husband. was inside.

the marriage the story.

"Time and time again" out of the gossip- recalls Jack Dunfee, the theatri-

UNSHAKEN

personal column of that day carried this announcement:--

But in June of that year a THE TIMES

Take having studied agriculture at university, wanted to put his knowledge to practical use in the country. His aunt, Lady Beauchamp, had given him house

car Malvern, in Worcestershire and he was looking forward to the move,

a look at her."

Hawkes to the She pushed front of the crowd.

Did Sylvia see him? He never knew,

Smiling happily, the couple grove off to the smoli reception

ranged

Hotel.

On the way

the Hyde Park

they passed a

She looked at him inquir ingly. He shook his head. Together, in silence, they got back into their car and

giant poster advertising the film drove away,

Meanwhile, at the church The Black Pirate.

Neither Tony Ashley aur hls fashionable St Paul's beautiful bride gave it a second in Knightsbridge rumours glance.

N

HER COUP

EL

"1. Lord Ashley, of St Giles House, Dorset, hereby give notice that I do not hold myself responsible for any debts incurred by my wife after the date of this notice and that she has no suthority to pledge mu credit."

If Sylvia was shaken by this she did not show, Rt.

so Sylvia, of the classical Features. The fruits of She went on gally with the social success were better to be social round, her popularity enjoyed in London, she felt. apparently unaffected. And, though she moved with Ashley to Worcestershire, sho

Sylvia jote a shooting party in Norfolk. With her. la Bir Henry "Tim". Birkin, the racing motorisă and her constant ompanion in the early 1919's, and in the foreground) the Kar) of Warwick

b

Kar

REGISTRATKIN ILSÝRICT -

GROW KANOVER BOXÍATH

rriage solemnized st

„bi the county of kinalama

Chandos

Ankhony

DW

Ber of the

(d)

ore Charak

Jothing Anar

diwet

Clarowding in the ILMAA and Durnesien.........of the, detaliated cruruakeland

Jashabiki Prepbalá -

Preko Xi

The first marriage vertiente of Sylvia Kahley. It records the bride's father ga "deceased." But he was at the church and to the crowd outside when she leth

And he

him im- He was 3 bon vivant. direct from

cat agent, who was also one of glamour for all time. the team, "I remember seeing was a millionaire. Sylvia in the pits, ber face covered with oll.

Everything about I suppose

Sylvin. you could say she was our pin- pressed up girl"

born traveller and His cigars came Whenever "Tim" Birkin raced Cuba: his multa all the way from to victory with his familiar Rome. blue-and-white scarf tralled eround hla nock, Sylvia was there in her white macintosh to cheer him on.

PARTIES

And when

EDAV

For he had fallen in love with becoming too bright. The affair. Sylvia.

had become the talk of London. Many people were 'scandalised.

She had all the qualities he admired in a woman; sympathy, warmth, and sex-appeal. Fur- Meer, sho spyke an excellent

stener.

And he liked people ten

Trot

unnoticed.

DOUBTS

FAIRBANKS himself began to

have doubts. He was in love with Sylvia, that he knew. But could he ever forget Mary.... the woman who had done so much with him: who had meant so much to him?

His prolonged viste to Europe Ho laughed, brugged, chided, did

He talked Everywhere he went, his ac- joked and flattered. of exotic dishes like Arab kush- vitice were faithfully chronicled kush, Chinese birds'-nest soup: For word of his Interest in hundred-year-old cggs and Sylvia Ashley had get around. pickled shark fins. le saw Sylvia's wide-open eyes He was pletured playing golf

As the weeks went by ho he flung bock his head and at Sunningdalo with the Prince become less and less aure that

of Wales and Prince George he could. laughed out loud.

ski-ing at St Moritz; sunning himselt In Naples; visiting his

In August 1934, while he and friends the Brinsley Plunkets Spivi

holidaying in Casile, Co. Monte Carlo, things came to

head. He talked to Joseph Schenck, a follow director And friends could not help United Artists, who was also on noticing that at many of the holiday there. Schenck was due house-parties and resorts, Sylvis, to sail to America on the Italian 400, was a guest.

liner Rex the next day. Closo friends sensed that Fair-

"Come with me. Douglas,** bania and Sylvia were heading urged Schenck. "You've been for a matrimonial scandal that away from Hollywood for over A year, Come back and make it

LTHOUGH he was known as

Fairbanks was a curious, man. "thenillionaire driver." Birkin, in truth, was not rich. He had a love for his son, But he lived expensively and Douglas Fairbanks jun throw magnißcent parties. He have no

more paternal enormously popular as feeling than a tiger in the well liked ut Bucks Club as he jungle for his cub,” he said. was in the pits.

was

And any doubts Sylvia might hayo entertained about her success in the exciting world of

They were very great friends. sa that in January So much Society were dispelled by a writer who extolled, after one

1933 Birkin went to court to when

1920:-

"She has more natural chara

TREASURES

at Luttrellstown Dublin.

us a

at her charily appearances in give evidence for Sylvia

The landlady of her West HERE were several reasons would rock Hollywood-and Halkin Street flat sued her for for this, Douglas jun, was a complete the disintegration of up with Mary," a quarter's reat (£67), claim- plump little fellow. Senior-the Fairbanks' popularity ing that

she had not been great athlete, sicck and puna- motion-picture idol. than any woman could regson- given a full six months' notice, like was offended by this, ably be expected to have, Sho could purr her way into the heart of any man-so soft her volco and manner.”

<+

a

DE

Fairbanks called Maryi In

und Hollywood They tried to persuade him to several minutes. Then, suddenly talked fox Sylvia lost the case, But it Further, he saw in jumior Bend the association, They determined to do all ho could to

potential wereen rival,

pointed out the difference in effect a presentes no problems,

their agus-20 yours, They said Mary, he secretly booked pass reconciliation with By this time she had moved Douglas Fairbanks

hed then there could be no happiness for age on the Rex. Sylvia purred her way into into a maisonette at 68, Park heen married to Mary Pickfond either of them at Mary Pick-

for 10 year9.

ford's expen90,

All our

frlerzis Their marriago wis And everything she did was thought her rolatkinship with world's great remance.

Blrkako might develop into Hollywood they lived in Pick- she began to appear something more than friendship fair considered, even in In restaurants without a hat, once her mysingo to Ashley days, to be fabulous, fono columnist wrote: For some was over, I never diel. time past smart women, auch

the hearts of many men.

news.

When

as Lady Ashley, have been in...

Btreet, Maynir,

TTYDZY

the

In

A NEW FILM

those

At the top of a climbing road, Tim Birkin died of blood hidden behind a white wall, Pickfair was a romantic bermit- are a shingled house with Ant Sylvia met Dougios a sloping roof, giy ownings, and

shining windows.

Fairbanks..

clined to lunch at restaurants poisoning in June 1933, without wearing hots.... custom to be recommended on.. Berthotic grounds, so long an it does not mCDD), that permanent wayds aro combed out while food is being served.?!

The meeting came about in a Truido the all-white rooms curious way. One evening the were furnbbed with eighteenth- telephone rang at her Park century treasures: the cabinets full of whito jede and Water- Sylvia never-combed out her Street flet.

If moms hor friend Dorothy ford glaze.. percosDong waves at tablo.

1

UT Fairbanks ignored them.

BUT

There could only be one ouf- come to this and in February. 1034 It happened.

Ashley sund for divorce, ma374– Ing Fairbanks as corespondent - This sight, Fairbanku zang Mary Pickford in Boston, Urm/wis very bad.

“hisky?' 'ho wild, his

Tho

voleo "I've been named as

Just before calling time bo went on board, carrying nothing but the clothes he was wearing.

He did not say goodbye ta Sylvia.

NEXT WEEK

To Hollywood

with Fairbanks