THREE BOY’S ONE DISASTROUS TALE

THEODORE HUTTON PARRY, ROBERT MACE WITTENOOM, LIONEL ROBERT DUNCAN.

WRITTEN BY CHERIE STRICKLAND AND LORRAINE CLARKE – SWAN GENEALOGY

 

Our summer has always drawn members of the public to our beautiful waters either for swimming or some form of boating. On the 27th February 1892 five boys went sailing on the beautiful Swan River heading towards Freshwater Bay, the wind picked up and within moments the boat had capsized and all five boys were in the water. The boys had been having swimming lessons however only one of them was considered a good swimmer. Lionel Duncan was hit on the head as the boat overturned and drowned instantly. John Jones and John Beddoes tried to keep Robert Wittenoom and Theodore Parry afloat. Jones using his own body helped Robert and Theodore until Beddoe retrieved boards and oars, however panic overtook the two young boys and they soon sank. Beddoes swam to a boat nearing the accident and got help. Jones was rescued soon after. Lionel Duncan’s body was immediately found, however it took another day to find the body of Robert Wittenoom, unfortunately both his parents where elsewhere in the country at the time of his death, both receiving the terrible news via telegram. Theodore Parry’s body was later recovered and he was buried on the 02/03/1892 the only boy to have been recorded in the Church of England burial records.