• Born: Abt 1914
• Married: 1941, Rockdale, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia ¹
• Died: 4 Apr 1942, Connell's Point, Georges River, N.S.W., Australia ²

  Research Notes:

"TWO DROWNED IN GEORGES RIVER

Skiff Swamped in Squall

SYDNEY, Friday. — Norman Holmes, 28, of Washington-street, Bexley, and Alexander Hughes, 40, of Regent-street, Newtown, were drowned in the Georges River this afternoon when a skiff in which they were fishing was swamped by a squall more than a quarter of a mile out from Connell's Point.

Four other members of the party were in the water for a quarter of an hour, calling for help, before they were seen from the shore by Messrs. Smith and Sharp. Sharp immediately put out in a launch and picked up the men, who were clinging to the submerged boat.

The rescued men said that when the boat was swamped a strong current carried it down the channel. They had to swim after it. Holmes and Hughes failed to regain the boat.

When brought ashore the four men were in a bad way. One, Frank Clement Higgerson, 31, of Neville street, Oakley, was admitted to St. George District Hospital, suffering from immersion and shock. He was detained for observation. After some time the three other men were able to return to their homes.

Local residents said that the rescued men had had lucky escapes. At this time of the year the place where they were fishing was regarded as a dangerous place for sharks. The boat to which the men were clinging drifted down the river. It was recovered at Baldface.

Dragging operations in the deep channel in which the fatalities oc curred were undertaken immediately by police from Sutherland. Hurstville and Blakehurst. Late this afternoon the bodies had not been recovered. Dragging will be continued tomorrow.

The place where the two men were drowned to-day is not far from the spot where two young soldiers were drowned in almost similar circumstances a few weeks ago." ³