Interesting website! Searching for photos or info about Mr Victor Bowring-Hanbury or Mrs Ellen Bowring-Hanbury (Robert Hanbury MP’s widow) who lived at Ilam Hall, Derbyshire and also 5 Belgrave Square SW1.Any info much appreciated – Thank you!
Thank you. I’m afraid I can’t help much with the people you mention. I haven’t any information on them other than the attendance at Avril’s wedding. I think Victor was noted for his skill at embroidery but that’s about it. If their names crop up in my researches I’ll post you about it. All the best
Thank you very much – I have photos of an embroidery he made with his name and dates. It was left to Oliver Messel (Oscar winning Theatre designer & Lord Snowdon’s Uncle) Oliver gave it to Judith Messel (nee Birdwood) Victor Bowring married Lord Hanbury’s widow Ellen and hyphenated his name. He was born in London but spent time in New York and I wonder where that is where he ended his days? We would love to see a photo of him! I can email you photos of his embroidery if you are interested? Please could you tell me more about Avril’s wedding if you have time? Thank you for posting a reply
I’ve always had a soft spot for Elvira, ‘poor little rich girl’ ,and devote a chapter to her in LETHAL WITNESS, my biography of the notorious pathologist, Sir Bernard Spilsbury, published by Sutton in 2007 (USA paperback, from Kent University Press 2009). Luckily, Elvira could afford the services of Sir Patrick Hastings, one of the greatest advocates of his day. Spilsbury had a formidable reputation for putting spin on the facts, embellishing evidence, and playing games with the truth, but Hastings knew his man. Elvira was in safe hands.
Pleased to read your kind words about my book SCANDAL AT THE SAVOY. Madame Fahmy is a fascinating character & I’ve found out a great deal more about her since 1991, when the book came out. I’m currently writing a new take on her life and times, based on some extraordinary new material…
Wow – thanks for getting in touch. You’re book on Spilsbury was a prime inspiration for this blog. I’m still trying to chase up the various attendees at the party, have had great success with Hugh Wade and Arthur Jeffress, less so with some of the others.
I/m glad you are doing further work on Madame Fahmy – I’m sure there is much more to say, I look forward to reading your update. Scandal at the Savoy is a favourite of mine.I’m fascinated by the transgressions of Elvira, Alma Rattenbury and other such cases, and they shed a lot of light on a particular period in English history. I too have a soft spot for Elvira, although she is not easy to like – she does seem pretty lacking in redeeming features, but I live in hope.
As to Spilsbury, I’m still amazed at the ease with which Hastings sidelined him during the trial.Hope you enjoy the blog, I think I’m a bit critical of your take on the party guests at one point, if so do please forgive me.
Fascinating website. I found it through looking for info about Nerina Shute. I live in London and have just discovered that Kensington Central Library have an amazing biography department, it isn’t open to the public but books can be requested. They have some of the Nerina Shute and Ethel Mannin books, which I am reading at present.
Thank you, that;s very kind – Nerina Shute is fascinating – ditto Ethel Mannin – there is one person who is supportive of this blog who is doing some excellent research on both women. I will post again on EM but Nerina, or at least the aspects of her pre-war career that interest me, is proving a little elusive. If you come across any references to either Aimee Stuart or Sunday Wilshin do please let me know as they particularly interest me.
Interesting website! Searching for photos or info about Mr Victor Bowring-Hanbury or Mrs Ellen Bowring-Hanbury (Robert Hanbury MP’s widow) who lived at Ilam Hall, Derbyshire and also 5 Belgrave Square SW1.Any info much appreciated – Thank you!
Thank you. I’m afraid I can’t help much with the people you mention. I haven’t any information on them other than the attendance at Avril’s wedding. I think Victor was noted for his skill at embroidery but that’s about it. If their names crop up in my researches I’ll post you about it. All the best
Thank you very much – I have photos of an embroidery he made with his name and dates. It was left to Oliver Messel (Oscar winning Theatre designer & Lord Snowdon’s Uncle) Oliver gave it to Judith Messel (nee Birdwood) Victor Bowring married Lord Hanbury’s widow Ellen and hyphenated his name. He was born in London but spent time in New York and I wonder where that is where he ended his days? We would love to see a photo of him! I can email you photos of his embroidery if you are interested? Please could you tell me more about Avril’s wedding if you have time? Thank you for posting a reply
That’s very interesting about the Messel connection – he is someone I hope to post about at some stage. My knowledge of Avril’s wedding is, I am afraid, all contained here http://elvirabarney.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/elviras-little-sister/
It was a very prestigious affair and I’m sure there must be photos somewhere. Thank you for the kind offer regarding the embroidery photos, I’d be interested to see them. I can’t find any photos of Victor – there must be some at Ilam Hall, I’d have thought. There is an invitation card from 5 Belgrave Square online http://www.fmsoares.pt/aeb_online/index.php?tempo=1311844260&criterio_1=Manuel+Teixeira+Gomes&criterio_2=Correspond%EAncia&criterio_3=1913&desde=60&tab=Correspondencia
all the best – good luck with your research
I’ve always had a soft spot for Elvira, ‘poor little rich girl’ ,and devote a chapter to her in LETHAL WITNESS, my biography of the notorious pathologist, Sir Bernard Spilsbury, published by Sutton in 2007 (USA paperback, from Kent University Press 2009). Luckily, Elvira could afford the services of Sir Patrick Hastings, one of the greatest advocates of his day. Spilsbury had a formidable reputation for putting spin on the facts, embellishing evidence, and playing games with the truth, but Hastings knew his man. Elvira was in safe hands.
Pleased to read your kind words about my book SCANDAL AT THE SAVOY. Madame Fahmy is a fascinating character & I’ve found out a great deal more about her since 1991, when the book came out. I’m currently writing a new take on her life and times, based on some extraordinary new material…
Wow – thanks for getting in touch. You’re book on Spilsbury was a prime inspiration for this blog. I’m still trying to chase up the various attendees at the party, have had great success with Hugh Wade and Arthur Jeffress, less so with some of the others.
I/m glad you are doing further work on Madame Fahmy – I’m sure there is much more to say, I look forward to reading your update. Scandal at the Savoy is a favourite of mine.I’m fascinated by the transgressions of Elvira, Alma Rattenbury and other such cases, and they shed a lot of light on a particular period in English history. I too have a soft spot for Elvira, although she is not easy to like – she does seem pretty lacking in redeeming features, but I live in hope.
As to Spilsbury, I’m still amazed at the ease with which Hastings sidelined him during the trial.Hope you enjoy the blog, I think I’m a bit critical of your take on the party guests at one point, if so do please forgive me.
Fascinating website. I found it through looking for info about Nerina Shute. I live in London and have just discovered that Kensington Central Library have an amazing biography department, it isn’t open to the public but books can be requested. They have some of the Nerina Shute and Ethel Mannin books, which I am reading at present.
Thank you, that;s very kind – Nerina Shute is fascinating – ditto Ethel Mannin – there is one person who is supportive of this blog who is doing some excellent research on both women. I will post again on EM but Nerina, or at least the aspects of her pre-war career that interest me, is proving a little elusive. If you come across any references to either Aimee Stuart or Sunday Wilshin do please let me know as they particularly interest me.