ACTOR LOST OVERBOARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19267, 8 March 1937, Page 5

ACTOR LOST OVERBOARD

ATLANTIC VOYAGE CABIN PARTY SEQUEL BEAUTY DENIES ROMANCE {Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Proso Assn.) LONDON, March 7. Mr. Frank Vosper, the noted playwright, stage and film actor, disappeared from the liner Paris between New York and Plymouth.

Officers of the ship conducted an inquiry behind locked doors be lore the liner berthed at Plymouth.

They believe that Mr. Vosper fell overboard after a farewell party hold in the cabin of Miss Muriel Oxford, who was “Miss Great Britain of 1955.” Mr. Vosper, during the party, went on to a private balcony attached to Miss Oxford s cabin at 3 a.m. and did not return.

A passenger states lie heard a man in one cabin shout: “If you wont marry me, J will jump overboard,’’ but does not known whether this related to the tragedy or in anywise concerned Mr. Vosper.

On arrival at Paddington, Miss Oxford emphatically denied that Mr. Vosper told her he would jump overboard if she did not marry him. IShe explained that lie and she talked for some time on the balcony. She returned to the guests and he remained on the balcony. MERELY FRIENDS

They were merely friends. She Diet him for the first time aboard the ship. There was not the slightest- question ot a love affair.

Mr. Peter Willes, the actor, who was proceeding home in company with Mr. Vosper, says it was an accident. ’1 here was no question of Mr. Vosper threatening to jump overboard. lie added: “Mr. Vosper went, to bed early but, when Miss Oxiord said she was throwing ;i party, we dragged him out of bed about 2 a.m. Mr. Vosper whispered to me that lie was tired and bored and was going to bed. In order to escape notice, he went out on the balcony, presumably to climb down to the lower deck and return to his cabin. 1 am certain he did not know the balcony did not overlook any deck and opened only upon the sea.” Mr, Willes, later, admitted that it was he who said jokingly to Miss Oxford, “If you don’t marry me l will jump overboard/’