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Australia

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954) Thursday 13 March 1941

S.A. AIRMAN DROWNED IN SURF

Others Have Narrow Escapes

Leading Aircraftman Murray Horwood, 23, of North Unley, S.A., was drowned in the surf at Evans Head. New South Wales, on Sunday after he and seven other Air Force trainees had been swept several hundred yards out to sea by a strong undertow.

Five of the men reached the beach unaided, but Horwood and Leading Aircraftsman Mclntosh and Goldby, also of South Australia, were carried Aircraftman Mclntosh and Goldby, were rescued with difficulty and are now in the Air Force hospital at Evan Head suffering from severe shock.

Horwood disappeared before the rescuers could reach him. His body was found later in the day floating in the breakers, half a mile from where he and the other trainees had entered the sea, opposite the Evans Head bombing and gunnery school.

Horwood and Goldby only arrived at Evans Head station from South Australia Saturday afternoon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92407375 (nla.gov.au)

The Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA: 1919 - 1950) Friday 14 March 1941

The Late W.A.G. Murray Horwood

R.A.A.F.

(Contributed.)

It is with sincere regret we learn of the death, from drowning, of   Wireless Air Gunner Murray Horwood, at Evan's Head, Sydney. Murray was well known in Peterborough, having been employed at the Loco Sheds, where he was held in high esteem by all with whom he came in contact. But perhaps, he was better known in baseball circles. He played League Baseball with Sturt Club in Adelaide. Represented Peterborough at Port Augusta and Whyalla in 1939. Pitched for Peterborough in the Country Carnival in Peterborough and also represented Peterborough in Adelaide Country Carnival. Murray was a brilliant ball player and an example to his team mates. He also played football for the Railway Club in Peterborough.

One finds it hard to adequately express the esteem of our late friend. He was a perfect gentleman, wherever he was and I have always had the pleasure to remark, "its a pity we haven't a few more Murray Horwood's." Murray also showed marked ability on the tennis courts and put up some fine performances at Terowie whilst stationed there. Horwood joined the Air Force late last year and had finished his early course at Ballarat Air Gunners' School and graduated to Evan's Head to finish his bombing course. But fate ruled otherwise. On his second day at Evan's Head he and four other trainees decided to do a little surf bathing. Unaware of the treachery of the undertow, they were swept away. The four other trainees were rescued, but Horwood had disappeared. Later in the day his body was found floating about half a mile from where he disappeared. Not only have we lost a brilliant sport, but a thorough gentleman with glamorous personality, who never worried "whether he lost or won," but how he played the game. We extend to his parents and family our very sincere sympathy in their untimely sad loss.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133339539 (nla.gov.au)

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954) Monday 17 March 1941

DROWNING OF YOUNG AIRCRAFTMAN

COMPANION'S TRIBUTE TO UNSELFISH ACT

To the Editor

Sir — Accounts I have seen of the accident at Evans Head, New South Wales, on March 8, when Leading Aircraftman Murray Horwood lost his life, do not give all the facts of the case. This boy gave his life in helping to rescue his mates, and his action deserves public acknowledgement of such a noble deed. It may give comfort to his parents and friends to know that he made the supreme sacrifice without thought of self. He could not have done more in the forefront of battle. Enclosed is an extract from a letter from my son, a friend of the dead boy and one of the party in the accident: — "There were about ten of us out surfing about 9 o'clock. Two of our boys were caught in the undercurrent and called for help. Murray and the rest of us went to their assistance. It ended up having half the chaps caught and helpless. There was a life savers' reel on the beach, and by using it we saved six chaps. Some of them were carried out over half a mile, and were in the water about an hour. Two have gone to hospital. After we came out we could not find Murray. He must have gone very suddenly, and no one saw him go. We did not miss him till it was too late. We searched for hours without seeing a trace of him. Tonight, about 6 o'clock his body was washed up   about half a mile down. I want you   to see his people and tell them what happened."

To say the boy was drowned while surfing fells only half the story. — I am, Sir &c.

MYRTLE D. WHITE, Cricklewood, Aldgate. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74458786 (nla.gov.au)