Robert Loraine

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Robert Bilcliffe Loraine MC DSO (14 January 1876 – 23 December 1935) was a successful London and Broadway British stage actor, actor-manager and soldier who later enjoyed a side career as a pioneer aviator. Born in New Brighton, Liscard, Cheshire, England, his father was Henry Loraine and Robert made his first stage appearance in the English provinces in 1889. He served in the Boer War (1899–1902). He introduced the George Bernard Shaw play Man and Superman to Broadway in 1905.

Loraine was a versatile actor and was successful both in serious plays and in popular works of light entertainment. He was particularly associated with the works of George Bernard Shaw, taking over the role of John Tanner from Harley Granville Barker in the fourth run of Man and Superman at the Royal Court Theatre. He also won critical acclaim for performances in plays by William Shakespeare and August Strindberg.

Loraine served as a volunteer in the Boer War between 1899 and 1901. During the First World War he flew with the Royal Flying Corps. He was twice seriously wounded, and commanded 40 Squadron. During his service he did not entirely abandon the theatre, running a drama society in his squadron, which performed the premiere performance of Shaw's play O'Flaherty V.C. at Treizeenes in Belgium. On 11 December 1918 he relinquished his commission in the Royal Air Force due to ill-health brought on by his wounds, and was granted the honorary rank of major.

On 7 November 1897 he married Julie Opp. After their divorce he married Winifred Lydia, daughter of Sir Robert Strangman in 1901. They had three daughters.