yesterdaysprint:

Jeanne Stourton employed at Selfridges, London, November 1932 

Jeanne became Lady Camoys when she married Sherman Stonor, 6th Baron Camoys in 1938.

If her daughter Julia is to be believed (from Wikipedia):

“..Stonor alleged in the book that her mother was an ardent Nazi sympathizer, and had been the lover of several men including Joachim von Ribbentrop and her own father-in-law. More controversially, she argued that her mother Jeanne had murdered her husband Lord Camoys (who died in 1976) and that Lady Camoys had been murdered by her younger son Honourable Robert Camoys (died 1994).

In later years, Stonor has claimed that she is the only legitimate child of her parents; her mother’s other four children, including the present Lord Camoys, being illegitimate and biologically unrelated to Sherman Stonor. Thus, she has argued that she is the rightful heir to the Camoys barony. ”

From her website:

“Welcome to the official website of Julia Maria Cristina Mildred Camoys Stonor, daughter of Sherman, 6th Baron Camoys, author, philanthropist, human rights activist, traveller, survivor…

Here is where you can find out about Julia’s first book, “Sherman’s Wife”, and the eagerly awaited sequel, “Sherman’s Daughter”. Read about Julia’s innumerable personal challenges, all borne with customary good grace, and her many joyous and inspiring triumphs. You can interact with Julia and get the inside scoop on her life.

In the Agony Lounge, opening soon, you can reach out to Julia with your personal, family, romantic, and work problems. With characteristic perspicacity and compassion, she will then advise you on how to proceed. After all, where there’s noblesse, there’s oblige, and Julia is nothing if not attentive in her duties to humanity.”

And:

“SAVE JULIA FROM BANKRUPTCY!

Julia faces bankruptcy and imminent eviction from her home of nearly forty years. She is unable to access the vital funds owed to her that would swiftly prevent this misfortune. If you’ve enjoyed visiting her website, please show your support and make a donation. Your kindness will mean that Julia doesn’t have to spend her seventies (and beyond) on the streets.”

I wonder what Julia’s brother (Thomas Stonor, 7th Baron Camoys) thinks of all this?

Jeanne with Julia and Thomas, 1940:

Julia also claims her mother was responsible for the death of the younger brother of Cecil Beaton, Reginald. She says that her mother had tried to blackmail him because she knew he was gay, and that he committed suicide as a result.

That would’ve been one year after the Selfridges photo was taken, when she was 20 (she was 19 when the photo was taken). 

Reginald, 28, a Flying Officer with No. 101 Bomber Squadron at Andover, had recently been experiencing blackouts (one occurring while he was taking a bath, a second in a friend’s drawing room and another while he was piloting) as well as dealing with loss of his eyesight, which must have been heartbreaking for a pilot. 

The coroner at the inquest into Reginald’s death, speaking of Reginald’s failing eyesight, stated:

“..I believe he was worrying about this, and anxious to keep it to himself, and possibly brooding over it, and while in that condition he is on the platform, a train goes past, he gives way to sudden impulse to gets rid of anxiety and trouble, and to end his life”