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Man Drowned In Early

Morning Beach Party

A returned soldier ot the Korean war was drowned when he ' went for a swim at Bondi Beach about 2.15 a.m. yesterday.

The returned Soldier, George Willis, 21, of Lowe Street. Clovelly, had won a dozen bottles ot beer in a raffle at a dance.

Willis, with three young women and two men who were at the dance, went to the beach to celebrate his win by drinking the beer.

Willis disappeared altet diving into the surf at the

northern end.

Police believe Willis was caught in a strong rip and carried out to sta. His body had not been > found last night.

Police said they had been

told that Willis had been recommended for the Military Medal for bravery in action in the Korean war.

The five people who went to the beach, with Willis said Willis had decided to have a swim.

He took oft all his clothes

except his trousers and dived into the water. He swam for a few minutes and then re- turned to the beach.

DISAPPEARED

Willis again /entered the water and disappeared. He did not call for help.

One of the men in the

party ran nearly a half a mile to the Bondi police station to give the alarm.

Bondi police, assisted by the North Bondi surfboat etew led by boat captain, Keith Hurst, searched until dusk

yesterday for the body.

They will continue the search to-day.

The Bondi beach inspector, Mr. Bill Willis, who helped in the search yesterday, said Willis had chosen one of the most treacherous parts of the beach for swimming.

Police said Willis was born at Gateshead, England. He settled in Sydney four years ago after working his passage fiom England.

Later he put up his agc and enlisted for Korea.

Police said that Willis had written to his parents a lew days ago telling them that he had been discharged from the Army and would soon start a job with the Repatriation De- partment.

'Sergeants J. Wickham and N. Townsend, and Contables R. Docherty and L. McCarty are directing the search.

Digitisation generously supported by
Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
Digitisation generously supported by

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