Continued from yesterday's entry.
On February 6, 1942, it was known that there was a Japanese sub lurking in the waters around Christmas Island and coast watchers saw birds off in the distance acting strangely, then an object came into view.
A launch was sent out and a carley raft discovered with a corpse sitting upright in it.
Birds had stripped the flesh from the face and the right arm had been partially eaten by sea creatures. There was a government-issued shoe in the raft with a nearly illegible name, either McCowan or McEwen, two Sydney crew members.
About five to six days later, the body was buried at the Old European cemetery and marked with a simple wooden cross.
Japanese forces captured the island later that month. The location of the grave was lost after the cross disintegrated due to the elements.
For more info: www.hmassydney.com/christmasisland.html.
It sure would be interesting if this body were to turn out to be Ted McGowan's brother.
Interesting Story-- Da Coot
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