BODIES FOUND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 6

BODIES FOUND

LOST MOUNTAINEERS (P.A.) Oamaru, Jan. 7. While making the descent after climbing Mt. Malte Brun in the Southern Alps on January 3, Messrs. Bruce Gillies, Oamaru, and H. Stevenson, Westan, discovered the bodies of two men and a quantity of mountaineering gear. The bodies are believed to be those of Sergeant William Patrick Morton, Auckland, and Leading Aircraftman Wilfred Frank Wallis, Christchurch, who were reported missing in March of last year. Mr. Gillies returned to Oamaru this morning. The Timaru who were notified from the Hermitage of the discovery, have organised a party to go to the locality. Mr. Stevenson remained at the Hermitage to assist the party. Coming down the mountain, Mr. Gillies saw a rope lying on the slope. A little further on they found the body of a man in an exposed position, and still further on the body of another man buried under snow. Mountaineering gear was found higher up on the mountain and a rucsack was also discovered. Sergeant Morton and Leading Aircraftman Wallis left the Hermitage on Wednesday, March 17 last, to go to the Malte Brun hut. Search parties were sent out from the Hermitage and by the Air Force, and the police organised a party of experienced mountaineers. On Friday, March 26, the Air Force party discovered gear and other materials on the top of a steep incline near the Malte Brun glacier. All the articles were identified as the property of the missing

men. The search was abandoned shortly after this discovery. Morton was aged 24 and was th? son of Mr. W. A. B. Morton. Auckland. Wallis was 27. and the son of Mr. F. L. Wallis, Christchurch.