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George Phillip Richardson

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Birth	:	unknown
Death	:	1946 Kempsey, Kempsey Shire, New South Wales, Australia
Burial	:	West Kempsey Cemetery, West Kempsey, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate	:	-31.0693470, 152.8215640
Description	:	George accidentally drowned aged 18 years. The Macleay Chronicle, Kempsey, NSW - Wednesday, 8 May 1946. Coronial Inquiry At Kempsey Court House on Saturday the District Coroner, Mr. N. L. Parker, J.P., held an inquiry into the death of George Phillip Richardson, 18, who was drowned in the flood waters in Central Kempsey on 26th March. Douglas Gordon Lewis, 17, cycle mechanic, gave evidence that he accompanied Bede Quinn and deceased to go in his canoe to Richardson's house in Clyde Street to get money and clothes, as the yard and floors of deceased's home was under water. Witness... Read More	George accidentally drowned aged 18 years. The Macleay Chronicle, Kempsey, NSW - Wednesday, 8 May 1946. Coronial Inquiry At Kempsey Court House on Saturday the District Coroner, Mr. N. L. Parker, J.P., held an inquiry into the death of George Phillip Richardson, 18, who was drowned in the flood waters in Central Kempsey on 26th March. Douglas Gordon Lewis, 17, cycle mechanic, gave evidence that he accompanied Bede Quinn and deceased to go in his canoe to Richardson's house in Clyde Street to get money and clothes, as the yard and floors of deceased's home was under water. Witness put on a swimming costume and Quinn and deceased were in shorts. They got in the canoe and paddled down Forth Street, entered the dog-ground and made towards deceased's home. When about thirty yards from the back fence deceased said he was in difficulties. He was then hanging on to the back of the canoe. Quinn said 'Let the canoe go and I will help you,' which he did. Witness continued: Bede grabbed hold of the deceased and I heard Bede say 'Let go of my neck, George.' After that I was washed down about 30 yards and I got out of the canoe and it sank. I started to swim back to help, but I could not get very far and I had to catch hold of a castor oil bush to save myself. I could then see Bede over near the fence near the back of George Richardson's place, and I said to him, 'Where is George?' He said, 'I don't know. I have lost him. I will go and get help ' I then sang out for help and Mrs. Stone of Regent Street heard me and sent Ken Brenton over in a canoe and he took me to the bottom of Regent Street. From there I went to my brother's place and got changed and Bede went for the Police. I knew that George Richardson could not swim. I was told next day that the Police found the body of deceased near where I last saw him. Bede Stanley Quinn gave evidence that he accompanied Gordon Lewis and deceased. He got in the canoe with Lewis and deceased held onto the back of the canoe. To go to Richardson's place they had to go through a strong current in Forth Street. He asked Richardson if he could swim, and when he said he could not witness told him he'd better go back. Witness continued: The water was then up to my waist and starting to run pretty quick. I said to deceased, 'You had better go back, George,' and Lewis said, 'Yes. It is starting to get swifter ' George Richardson then started to walk back from the front of the canoe, and he must have stepped into a gutter. He went under and his hands were just out of the water. I let go the canoe and went after him and we were swept by the current off the road and into the dog track. George came up and I was holding him by the ears. I put my arm around his waist to start swimming with him, and he got hold of my wrist. I said, 'George, don't hang on so tight' I told him a couple of times not to hang on so tight. He then put his hand up and got hold of me by the throat and we went under. I broke his grip and went to get hold of him again, but the current swept him from me while we were under the water. I came to the surface, and went down to look for him again. I could not feel him and the water was too muddy to see in. I then came up and everything seemed to go black and I don't remember anything more till I was hanging over a fence I don't know how I got there. I have had training in life saving and I tried my hardest to get George out. While on the fence I heard Lewis calling for help and I saw him hanging onto a bush. I was too exhausted to go to his aid and I went and told some people what had happened. I got into another canoe and went back for Gordon, but when I got back another person had him in safety. Dr J. B. McElhone gave evidence that deceased had met his death by drowning. Sergt. T. S. Turner gave evidence of dragging operations that continued from 4 p.m. on March 26 till 10 p.m. that night and from early on the morning of March 27 till 3.30 p.m. that day, when the 'body was recovered in 5 feet of water in a hole near the dog track. Dragging operations had been greatly hampered by the strong current, flood debris and a heavy growth of Bathurst burr. He was satisfied that Bede Quinn had done all in his power to assist deceased. Both Quinn and Lewis were fortunate in not losing their lives. The Coroner, in returning a verdict of accidental death by drowning, expressed the sympathy of the Court with deceased's family. He commended Sergt. Turner and the Police officers assisting him, also the citizens who assisted in the search under great difficulties. The Coroner praised Bede Quinn and Gordon Lewis for their efforts, emphasising that Quinn had done his best to save deceased It was very regrettable that deceased, a strong lad, held in high esteem by all who knew him, had been unable to swim.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is George Phillip Richardson's memorial?
George Phillip Richardson's memorial is located at: West Kempsey Cemetery, West Kempsey, Kempsey Shire, Australia.
When did George Phillip Richardson death?
George Phillip Richardson death on 1946 in Kempsey, Kempsey Shire, New South Wales, Australia
Where are the coordinates of the George Phillip Richardson's memorial?
Latitude: -31.0693470
Longitude: 152.8215640

Family Members:

Parent

Isabelle “Bella” Richardson Walsh

(1908 - 1991)

Siblings

Harold John Walsh

(1934 - 1986)

Catherine Mary Walsh

(1939 - 1957)

Noel William Walsh

(1941 - 1991)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. West Kempsey Cemetery
West Kempsey, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -31.0693470, 152.8215640

2. Euroka Cemetery
Euroka, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -31.0737900, 152.8036960

3. Kempsey East Cemetery
Kempsey, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -31.0895170, 152.8399240

4. Frederickton Cemetery
Frederickton, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -31.0331381, 152.8771589

5. Crescent Head Cemetery
Crescent Head, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -31.1960750, 152.9860165

6. Eungai Creek Cemetery
Eungai Creek, Nambucca Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.8251960, 152.8750130

7. Arakoon General Cemetery
Arakoon, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.9101283, 153.0573547

8. Telegraph Point Cemetery
Telegraph Point, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Australia
Coordinate: -31.3409560, 152.7850190

9. Toms Gully Cemetery
Hickeys Creek, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.8695560, 152.6006160

10. Kinki Yarrahapinni Cemetery
Stuarts Point, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.8228740, 152.9755710

11. Trial Bay Gaol and Internment Camp Burial Ground
Arakoon, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.8771750, 153.0702520

12. Bernard Laverty Cematorium
Macksville, Nambucca Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.7404000, 152.9270000

13. Riverside Historic Cemetery
Riverside, Coonamble Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -31.4229870, 152.8768800

14. Macksville Cemetery
Macksville, Nambucca Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.7177891, 152.9149732

15. Allman Hill Historic Cemetery
Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Australia
Coordinate: -31.4284890, 152.9141950

16. Macksville Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Macksville, Nambucca Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.7099770, 152.9160470

17. Port Macquarie Historic Cemetery
Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Australia
Coordinate: -31.4330120, 152.9143130

18. Bellbrook Cemetery
Bellbrook, Kempsey Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.8161260, 152.5031400

19. Port Macquarie General Cemetery
Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Australia
Coordinate: -31.4401570, 152.8887790

20. Laverty Columbatorium
Macksville, Nambucca Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.7040000, 152.9270000

21. Blackbutt Historical Cemetery
Macksville, Nambucca Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -30.6897770, 152.9053210

22. Innes Gardens Memorial Park
Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Australia
Coordinate: -31.4621616, 152.8593895

23. Wauchope Memorial Clock
Wauchope, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Australia
Coordinate: -31.4572582, 152.7305603

24. Beechwood General Cemetery
Beechwood, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Australia
Coordinate: -31.4408380, 152.6595780