In the wake of Sir Roger Moore’s passing earlier this year at the age of 89, there has been extensive coverage of the iconic James Bond actor’s eventful life and his relationships with numerous glamorous women.
Recently, a surprising revelation came to light with the unearthing of an old cache of letters, photographs, and documents belonging to Moore’s first wife, Doorn van Steyn.
These items provide a captivating insight into Moore’s life prior to stardom, shedding light on the romantic entanglements and intrigues that characterized his tumultuous first marriage to an older woman.
Discovered in a vintage laundry box from the Forties, these documents also unveil the remarkable bond the young Moore shared with van Steyn’s son while they resided together in a cramped attic bedsit in Streatham, South London.
It was Shaun van Steyn, now 73 years old, who stumbled upon the metal box while sifting through his late mother’s belongings.
Describing the find as akin to discovering a hidden treasure trove, Shaun expressed how delving into its contents felt like peering through a window into the past.
Among the assortment are not only a marriage certificate and divorce papers chronicling comedic incidents reminiscent of Ealing comedies but also ardent letters penned by the infatuated 19-year-old Moore during his National Service stint.
Doorn, born Lucy Woodard and a divorcee at 25, was a circus ice skater on the rise when she met Moore at RADA drama school towards the end of World War II.
Despite being a policeman’s son, Moore was smitten with the fiery blonde and even took up ice skating to spend more time with her.
The letters Moore wrote to his beloved “Doornie” from Blenheim Camp in Suffolk during his basic training in 1946 reveal his deep affection tinged with insecurity.
Expressing his longing for her, Moore’s words exude a mix of endearment and vulnerability, illustrating the intensity of his feelings.
Their hasty nuptials in 1946 at Wandsworth Register Office, marked by the absence of a lavish honeymoon due to financial constraints, reflected the contrast in their professional statuses.
While Doorn confidently listed her occupation as a film actress, Moore modestly noted his National Service role as a 2nd Lieutenant in the RASC.
Despite Moore’s professions of love and aspirations for a blissful union, strains began to surface as Doorn’s career soared internationally, leaving Moore behind to grapple with failed auditions and odd jobs arranged by his wife.
The couple later relocated to Wavertree Road, Streatham, signaling a shift in their circumstances.
Shaun van Steyn vividly recalls the period spent with his stepfather, highlighting Moore’s caring and nurturing demeanor towards him, particularly during challenging times.
Moore’s patience and attentiveness, including gestures like communicating through hand signals due to Shaun’s hearing impairment, left a lasting impression on the young boy.
As Moore and Doorn’s careers diverged and conflicts escalated, their relationship crumbled, culminating in a turbulent separation.
Moore’s memoir reflects on the marital breakdown, attributing it to prolonged separations, financial woes, and Doorn’s lack of belief in his acting abilities.
Amidst bitter disputes and confrontations, the unraveling of their marriage became inevitable, with Moore eventually initiating the divorce proceedings.
Accounts of heated altercations and dramatic incidents shed light on the tumultuous nature of their union, underscoring the challenges they faced.
The discovery of a worn legal document detailing a sensational encounter between Doorn and Moore outside the Lyric Theatre in London adds a dramatic twist to their narrative.
Allegations of Moore’s involvement with Welsh singer Dorothy Squires, who later became his second wife, surface, painting a complex picture of Moore’s romantic entanglements.
In reconciling contrasting versions of events, Moore’s assertions in his autobiography clash with Doorn’s recollections, creating a web of conflicting narratives surrounding their tumultuous relationship.
The intricate tapestry of Moore and Doorn’s intertwined lives unravels through these unearthed relics, offering a poignant glimpse into the complexities of their shared history.
