| Thanet Advertiser - Friday 20 July 1945: TRAGIC BIRTHDAY PARTY. AIRMAN DROWNED WHILE BATHING. A birthday party on Ramsgate sands ended tragically on Friday with the death by drowning of Cpl. Thomas George Albert Jones, R.A.F., son of Mr. W. H. Jones and the late Mrs. Jones, of 24 Sidney-road. Cpl. Jones came home on leave on Thursday, and Friday was his 25th birthday. Members of the family decided to spend the afternoon on the beach, taking with them a picnic tea. As soon as he arrived on the beach Cpl. Jones raced down to the sea for a bathe. Some hours later his body was washed ashore at approximately the same spot as he entered the water. There was no evidence to show how he came to lose his life when the Borough Coroner (Mr. J. H. Robinson) held an inquest on Saturday. Mr. William Henry Jones, father of the dead man, said his son, who was engaged to be married, arrived in Ramsgate the day prior to the tragedy. On Friday witness, his son, his son-in-law and other members of the family went down to the sands and sat on the beach opposite Augusta Steps. His son and son-in-law, who was accompanied by his two daughters, immediately went down for a bathe. Witness did not see them enter the water as there were so many people on the beach and in the sea. About 10 minutes later, said witness, his son-in-law returned and he asked him "Where's Tom?" His son-in-law replied "I don't know. Isn't he back? I haven't seen him." As deceased did not return his son-in-law went back to see if he could see deceased, but without result. They then began to get alarmed and informed the police. One of the police officers instructed the safety patrol boatman to make a search. About seven o'clock they were informed that the body had been found. Mr. George Edgar Stocks, a gunner in the Royal Artillery and son-in-law of the previous witness, corroborated the evidence already given. Deceased, said witness, could swim, but he did not know how far he could swim. The sea was choppy when they went in for a bathe. He saw nothing of his brother-in-law after they ran down to the sea. Mr. James Burns, of Harvey-gardens, Charlton, London, formerly staying on holiday at Herbert-road, Ramsgate, said that at about 6.50 p.m. on Friday he was walking along the sands opposite Augusta Steps when he saw a body on the crest of a wave about 12 yards from the shore. He at once entered the water and recovered the body. He applied artificial respiration until he realised it was useless. Safety Patrol Boat Attendant Charles Frederick Woodland. of Old Alfred-cottages, Hardres-street, said he was in his boat about 500 yards east of the East Pier at about 3 p.m. when he saw someone wading out towards him. The man shouted that someone was in difficulties in the sea between the steps and the bathing pool. At the time there were about 150-200 people bathing in a group and he was keeping them away from the current. There was a fairly strong current running east from the shingle bank. Witness searched the ground twice but without result. He was nearly thrown out of his boat going over the stones. Dr. A. N. Gordon, who saw the body at the mortuary, said death was due to suffocation from drowning. The Coroner said he was satisfied that death was accidental and he returned a verdict accordingly. Mr. Robinson and C/I R. Hicks, on behalf of the police, expressed sympathy with Mr. Jones and members of the family in their loss. |