The Allez Family

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Prue, Mel and Beatice in Davos 1966

Following his divorce from Prue's mother Timmie (nee Fleming), Mel Watson married Beatrice Allez, a stylish Frenchwoman who was already living in Sydney. When Prue and I got married we saw quite a bit of Beatrice both in Sydney as well as when Mel and she came over to Europe.  Her parents  -  Bernard and Grittie Allez - lived in Paris and we had Christmas more than once with them at their their 'hotel particular' at 21 Rue Leroux, just off Avenue Victor Hugo*. 

Far-West, Bernard, Prue, Bernard's brother and Beatrice Allez. 

Bernard was from a well-known family, the de la Beraudiere's, (his uncle bore that title). I was never sure exactly what Bernard did, but it may have been to do with timber. In any event, work was not discussed. I remember one day visiting his brother at his chateau just outside Paris and being shown his splendid library. Grittie, equally stylish and most amusing, was originally Belgian. and was universally known as 'Far-West'. Both spoke perfect English, of course. Beatrice had two brothers. Phillipe and Gerard. Philippe married a wealthy American, Carol Pace, and Gerard an artistic Norwegian, Vigdis. They lived on different floors in the 'hotel particular', but all met up in Bernard and Grittie's apartment for any celebrations.. 

Grittie didn't cook, and the 'kitchen' in the apartment was a tiny narrow room suitable only for preparing breakfast. Any substantial meal was brought in from a 'traiteur, and for Christmas.we had oysters, foie gras and champagne. We also ate out quite a bit and Beatrice and I used to run up Mel's wine bill by drinking Mersault 'Les Gouttes D'Or' whenever we could get hold of it. 


Far West, Bernard and Prue with Beatrice in front at La Lointaine 1980

We also stayed with the Allez's at their house in Roquebrune, La Lointaine, which had a terrace with a splendid view of the coast towards Nice. Beatrice didn't particularly like it as she had lived there as a child throughout the war, getting heartily sick of the very restricted diet, mainly 'blettes'. Later though she frequented the famous night-club, Le Pirate, on Cap Martin, just below.

Mel and Beatrice visited Europe every year and so we saw a lot of them, and particularly their friends Tony and Patricia Holland, who they stayed with in Windlesham. 

Lunch at the Hollands c.1980. Patricia, the Hannans, Tony Holland, Beatrice, Prue and Mel 

Following her divorce from Mel in 1984, Beatrice continued to live in Sydney with her partner Christian. She remains fit playing bridge and golf and we still see her from time to time, and easily fall into gossip about the old days.     

* When seeking to marry Prue, I had to go over to Paris and meet Mel, who gave me dinner at Prunier which I later realised was the closest smart restaurant to Rue Leroux. We also ate regularly at 'Stella', also on Avenue Victor Hugo, and close to Prue's favourite clothes shop, Ted Lapidus.


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