TRAGIC FATE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 8, 4 October 1929, Page 7

TRAGIC FATE

DEATH OF EXPLORERS IN CANADA PARTY PERISHES IN LONELY HINTERLAND LETTERS TO PARENTS FOUND WITH BODIES (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Australian Pres." Association. (Rec. October 3, 7 p.m.) London, October 3. Sympathetic interest has been aroused by messages from Canada throwing fresh light on the tragic fate of three English explorers—Hornby (son of the cricketer), Christian and Adlard—who perished in the Canadian hinterland in circumstances recalling the fate of Captain Scott. Adlard’s father is head of a London printing firm, and has just received a letter from Ottawa. The letter was found with the bodies in a cabin addressed to himself from his son, but was written in August, 1926, when the party was hopeful of success and does not throw any light on the final tragedy.

Canon Armistead, one of the executors for Hornby, said Hornby died first, in April, 1927; Adlard died in May and Christian a month later. “This we gather from Christian’s diary,” he said. “His companions died in the hut and as they left him alone with dwindling foodstuffs he must have put their bodies outside and died himself a few weeks later.” Canon Armistead expects by the next boat from Canada the few things found in the hut, such as Hornby’s will, trophies, and two chapters of a book he was writing.

Christian’s diary has gone to China, where his father is stationed.