“Freedom John Valentine Coombes aged 21, a  Lance-corporal, on final leave from Papakura, was drowned in the Wanganui river yesterday afternoon at Te Whakarae, a few miles from Taumarunui.  Coombes was swimming across the river with a boy, Richard Woolston, aged nine, on his back, when he developed cramp and sank. A brother of the boy, Alan Woolston, aged 12 rescued Richard, and then recovered Coombes's body quickly after a considerable effort. He tried artificial resuscitation unsuccessfully. At the inquest to-day, a verdict of accidental drowning was returned. The Coroner commended the bravery of Alan Woolston and said he would recommend him for the Humane Society's decoration. “ [Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22898, 20 December 1939, Page 10]