CLIFF TRAGEDY

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19597, 8 June 1935, Page 14 (Supplement)

CLIFF TRAGEDY

The courage of a 15-years-old sohoolboy In trying to aid his parents who had hurtled to death down a 400 ft cliff led to a dramatic message of commendation being read at the inquest, says a London paper. Mr B. \V. Gill, coroner for Bodmin and district, was Inquiring, into the tragedy in which Major Robert 'Hemphill, aged 47, medical officer of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and his wife, Kathleen Ada Hemphill, lost their lives while climbing the cliffside at Portquln. The Inquest was held In the little church-room at Port Isaac, and the Jury, three of whom were fishermen, returned verdicts of accidental death.

Major Hemphill’s elder son, Peter Murray Richard Hemphill, sat in the front of the court,'a pathetic but brave figure, with head held high. He had one hand heavily bandaged. Quietly he told Ills story of the tragedy which orphaned him, his 13years old sister, Sheila, and his brother, 'David, aged 9. Missed His Footing. They came, he said, to stay at The Dunes, Trebetherick, on April S. “Wc spent our holidays chiefly I playing golf," lie went on, “but wc did go once or twice to tho cliffs. “ On Sunday we all left The 'Dunes about 2.45 p.m. and drove to Portquln. We parked the car there and walked along the cliffs. Father and I went off together, and we saw a buzzard lly off its nest. Wo could see the nest, so we decided to go down to photograph it. “ We went down so far together and then when-1 was about 18ft behind, father suddenly fell over, 1 suppose he missed his footing. “ I went down the rest of the cliff as fast as 1 could and found him lying unconscious on some big boulders. I shouted l’or about five minutes, and then mother came to the top of tho cliff. She looked over, and about two i minutes later she fell down too.

3IE WAS THROWN. “I hear your girl’s father threw a parly last night. Did you go?" “Did 1, Boy, I was tho party he threw —believe me, 1 went all right.” WIIAT’S THE NOISE? "What’s Ihc noise?" “John, Hie barber, is shaving himself.” "What’s the conversation about?” "He's irying to persuade himself to have a shampoo."

Town’s Tribute to Boy’s Courage. “Worthy of Father’s Fine Record.” Son’s Own Story.

I “ I attended her as best I could, and kept shouting until my brother and sister, who were on the top of the cliff, heard me. “ I told them to run to the nearest farm and get help, which they did. “ About a quarter of an hour later I climbed back up the cliff and rang up the coastguard station and told them to send help, but the people on the exchange told me that the coastguards had been told of the accident about a quarter of an hour earlier.” Coastguard officers and fishermen described how Mrs Hemphill was hauled to the cliff top with ropes—she died in Bodmin Hospital on Monday—and how Major Hemphill’s body was recovered by boat. “ Shining Torch.” Dr. A. P. Wilson Gun then asked Mr Gill’s permission to read the following message from the people of Wadebridge, the ■Cornish town near the scene of the tragedy: “ They have asked me,” he said, ‘‘to record their deep regret at tho terrible tragedy under whose shadow we meet to-day, and express to the children and relatives of the late Major and Mrs Hemphill their heartfelt sorrow at their cruel bereavement. “ As a servant of Ills Majesty, as a professional man, and in the realm of sport the late Major Hemphill had a splendid record. The country can ill spare such men as he. “ Ills torch fell, but it was not extinguished. Never did it shine with ; greater brilliance than when retrieved. It was carried on that perilous journey j last Sunday up and down the treacherous cliffs of Cornwall by his brave son, to whose pathetic story we have j listened to-day. I “His pluck and resource have 1 caused twin thrills of pity and pride . to stir the hearts of countless thous- j ands, and his action has been worthy I of the finest tradition of the Empiro which his father so brilliantly served. “ Wo wish him and his God-speed and good luck.”

PRACTICE. She: ‘‘Father’s sermon to-night is called ‘Love One Another.’ Want to allend?" ■lie: “No. 'Let’s 'Stay at home and practice what lie preaches.” AN ACROBAT. The doctor called as usual, asking: “And how do yon feel to-day?” “Not so well, doctor, can can hardly lift my arms above my head, and it's the same with my feet.”