In December
1948, the Australian press got hold of a mystery and a drama that would last
for almost 70 years. What follows is the
article that started it all…
Headline: DEAD
MAN FOUND LYING ON SOMERTON BEACH
The fully clothed body of a man was found
on the beach at Somerton, opposite the Crippled Children’s Home, at 6.30 a.m.
today. Up to noon police had no clue to his identity.
The body had not been in the water.
The man was lying on his back against the
sea wall. The legs were crossed, and death appeared to have occurred while the
man was sleeping.
A thorough search of his pockets revealed
no papers or anything that would give a clue to his name.
The man is thought to have been about 40.
He was 5 ft. 11 in. in height, and well built.
He was clean-shaven, with fair hair
slightly grey over the temples, hazel eyes, and was wearing a grey and brown
double-breasted coat, brown trousers, socks, and shoes, and a brown knitted
woolen pullover, white shirt and collar, and red-white-and-blue tie.
The
discovery was made by Mr. John Lyons, jeweler, of Whyte road, Somerton, who
called Constable Moss, of Brighton, and Det. Strangway.