Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), Tuesday 3 November 1914, page 6


A SECRET MARRIAGE.

An Actor Divorced. MELBOURNE, November 2.

Vera Dampier (29), of Sydney, to-day sought dissolution of her marriage with Alfred Julian Dampier (30), actor, on the ground of desertion. The parties, were

married on December 14, 1905. The mar-riage was kept secret, and the parties never lived together. Mr. L. S. Woolf, who appeared for Mrs. Dampier, said the appli-cant was reluctant to enter into the mar-riage because she knew that Dampier had no means, and she had none. Mrs. Dam-pier was at the time engaged with a Wil-liamson theatrical company, and Dampier was living with this parents at Rushcutter's Bay. Dampier was the son of the late Alfred Dampier, a well-known actor. Vera Dampier said that after the wed-ding her husband remained for seven weeks in Sydney, during which time she saw him frequently. The reason for their not living together was that her husband wished to make a home for her. He left for England soon after the mar-riage, because he said he could get a better position there. She saw Dampier off at the steamer, and he promised to send for her. They corresponded while her hus-band was in England. In 1906 Dampier returned to Australia, and they continued in the profession. She saw him only once after his return, until 1908. They were both travelling with companies, but cor-responded. In May, 1908, they met at Rushcutter's Bay, Sydney, when the con-versation lasted a quarter of an hour. She asked Dampier whether he was friendly with a woman in his company. He said it was not true. She asked him to make a home for her or take her away with his company. Dampier had a company of his own at that time. He declined to take her away with him because he said his father would think they were married. He did, not make a home for ber. She had not seen or heard from her husband since 1909. A decree nisi was granted, with costs against Dampier.