LADY WALKER’S DIVORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1922, Page 12

LADY WALKER’S DIVORCE.

AN UNFAITHFUL HUSBAND. REVELATIONS IN COURT NEW ZEALAND AND BIARRITZ.

London. Dec. 13. Before Sir H. Duke, president of the Divorce Division, Lady Walker, whose maiden name was Synolda Emily Thurs-by-Pelham, sitccessfully petitioned fur a divorce on the ground of alleged cruelty and misconduct by her husband, Sir R. J. Milo Walker. Bart. He had put in an answer denying the cha.ges, but the suit was not defended.

I Mr. Bayford, K.C. (for petitioner) said that petitioner and respondent were married in June, 1913, and there were two children. Sir Robert went to France in March, 1915, and returned ill with appendicitis. He underwent an operation, and in October, 1915, he and his wife went to New Zealand, and were there until March, 1919. Tie took to drink and treated his wife badly. His wife’s health suffering owing to his conduct. She, however, forgave him for an incident at Biarritz. He continued to drink, and his wife was in constant fear of what might happen. She eventually left him. Her husband was watched, and as a result the petition was filed. Lady Walker stated that she was married kt the Royal Military Chapel, Wellington Barracks, and she lived with her husband at Sand Hutton, Yorkshire, the property of respondent. They had two children. In 1915 Sir Robert was an officer in the Coldstream Guards, and he went to the war. He was invalided home in a few weeks, suffering*”.from appendicitis. In October, 1915, they went to New Zealand on account of his health. He became addicted to drink, and she had to complain of his misconduct. He became very rude and insulting in 1916. “ft frightened me,” she said. ‘Tt distressed me terribly, for I never knew what he was going to say.” Her mother came out to her in September, 1917, and remained until March, 1919. In July she returned to Sand Hutton with her husband. He became very ill and his habits were worse than they were in New Zealand. In March, 1920, they went to Biarritz: he drank strongly, while there. They again visited Biarritz in October, when she had to complain of bis drunken habits and the distress she was put to by his conduct in public. She became nervous and sleepless. In November they came home.

A CONFESSION. In the boat on their return to England from Biarritz he told her that he had been to her. After that he saw the doctor, who found him to be suffering from ven real disease. She went to Sand Hutton with him. and in view of his condition she asked that she might have a separate suite of rooms. She had heard that he had given her father a pledge to give up drink; She had to leave him, however, because his conduct on several occasions terrified her. and on January 2, 1921. she wrote to him: “Dear Bobbie.—After very seriously thinking over the last few years of our married life I am writing to tell you that I am not returning to Sand Hutton until I have consulted my father. Your conduct at Biarritz and the illness you contracted and which you admitted to me on board the boat from Calais to Dover has brought me to the decision that my life with you is a degradation. From the time you took to drinking in New Zealand you have made my life miserable, but I put up with that on account of the children. an t I always hoped you would alter your ways. Your conduct at Biarritz mr.de my life impossible and intolerable. I shall remain at Cadogah Gardens, but you must make no attempt to see me, as 1 shall refuse to see vou. Dolly Walker.”

Mr. Coati's Preedy: When under the influence of drink what was his conduct? —He was very rude and insolent to everybody, and very frightening to me. One never knew what he was going to do. ON HIS KNEES. Petitioner said at that time she was nervous, was suffering from insomnia, and was really very ill. Iler husband asked to see her at her father’s house in Cadogan Gardens, lie came and went on his knees asking her to forgive him. After he had taken the pledge she consented to forgive him. She went with him to Dinard. but lie soon began to drink again, and she loft him about the beginning of May last, and afterwards she learned that he had in May of thi • year committed adultery with a woman named Marjorie Royle. Hugh Lloyd Gordon Bond, secretary to respondent, gave evidence by affidavit as to Sir Robert’s rudeness and spite against Lady Walker in the presence of servants and visitors. He was once very drunk after dinner. He used to be drunk five nights out of six. Lady Walker was afraid of him. Dr. Augustus Whitehorn AddinsoP. said that lie had known i.ii'dy Walker from her childhood. Before her marriage she was a remarkably fine young y.’oman. well set-up and healthy, a strong, athletic girl. When he saw her last year he scarcely recognised her. She was thin—almost emaciated- high ly nervous, and very tired looking; lu l could find notihng to account for her condition except tho life'to which she had been subjected. She was suffering from nervous strain. There was a great improvement in her appearance since she had left her husband. Dr. Theodore Drysdale. Cadogan Place, evidence as to the disease respondent suffered from in November. 1920. Further evidence was tendered to show that respondent had met Marjowo Royle in Piccadilly on May 12. 1921, and that lie u cd to visit her at her flat in Jermyn Street. A decree nisi, with cos + s, and an order for custody of the children, was granted to petitioner.