SOLDIER DROWNED
ATTACKED BY CRAMP CARRYING BOY ON BACK BROTHER’S HEROIC EFFORTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) TAUMARUNUI, Tuesday Freedom John Valentine Coombes, aged 21, a lance-corporal on final leave from Papakura, was drowned in the Wanganui River yesterday afternoon at Te Whakarae, a few miles from Taumarunui. He was swimming across the river with a boy of nine, Richard Woolston, on his back, when he was attacked by cramp. The brother of the boy, Alan Woolston, aged 12, rescued Richard and then recovered Lance - Corporal Coombes’ body, but after considerable effort. He tried artificial resuscitation unsuccessfully. At an inquest to-day a verdict of accidental drowning was returned. The coroner commended the bravery of Alan Woolston, and said he would recommend him for the Humane Society’s decoration.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19391219.2.69
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Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20991, 19 December 1939, Page 8
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125SOLDIER DROWNED Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20991, 19 December 1939, Page 8
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