WWI Soldiers' Messages in Bottles Discovered on Australian Coast After Over a Century
Two Australian WWI soldiers' messages, written in 1916, were found in a Schweppes bottle on Wharton Beach, Western Australia, over 100 years later, stunning descendants.
Overview
- Messages in bottles, written by Australian WWI soldiers Privates Malcolm Neville and William Harley in 1916, were discovered on Australia's coast.
- The Brown family found the Schweppes-brand bottle containing the century-old messages at Wharton Beach near Esperance, Western Australia, over 100 years later.
- Private Neville was killed in action a year later, while Private Harley survived the war despite two wounds, adding historical poignancy to the discovery.
- Deb Brown believes the bottle likely remained buried in sand dunes for over a century, preserving the messages, which remained legible despite being wet upon discovery.
- Pte Harley's granddaughter and other surviving grandchildren expressed being "absolutely stunned" by the discovery, connecting them to their family's WWI history.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on the human interest aspect of the discovery. They present the facts of the messages in a bottle from WWI soldiers and the emotional reactions of their descendants without injecting editorial bias or loaded language. The reporting maintains an objective tone, allowing the story's inherent poignancy to resonate.
"The bottle is in pristine condition and the writing remained legible, allowing the finder to notify both soldiers’ relatives of the discovery."
ABC News"The discovery of the messages in a bottle has brought families together and evoked a sense of wonder and connection to the past."
CBS News"The cheerful notes were penned just a few days into their voyage to join the battlefields of France during World War One."
BBC NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
The messages were written by Australian WWI soldiers Privates Malcolm Neville and William Harley in 1916.
The bottle was found on Wharton Beach near Esperance, Western Australia.
Private Neville was killed in action a year after writing the message, while Private Harley survived despite being wounded twice, adding poignancy to the find.
The message was likely preserved because the bottle remained buried in sand dunes for over 100 years, which kept it intact and still legible upon discovery despite being wet.
Wharton Beach is a remote, pristine white sand beach located in Duke of Orleans Bay, Western Australia, known for its calm clear waters, peaceful atmosphere, and popularity as a surfing spot.
History
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