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Henry Cyril Steele (1891–1939)

The body of Mr Cyril Augustus Steele, managing director of Steele and Co Pty Ltd, furniture warehousemen was found on Saturday afternoon floating in the sea half a mile off the mouth of the Werribee River.

With Mr Arthur Jackson his chauffeur, Mr Steele had been missing since Wednesday, when Mr Steele's speedboat disappeared in Port Phillip Bay.

The body had apparently drifted at least 25 miles across the bay. It was clad in a bathing costume and a pullover. A combination cushion and a lifebelt were found on the body and nearby another cushion was floating. It is believed that the boat capsized in rough seas.

Councillor Maurice Hudson, of Werribee, his son and Messrs William Garfield and George Barker found the body while they were fishing.

Mr Steele's relatives who had air searches of the bay made on Saturday and yesterday intend to continue the search until they find some definite trace of Mr Jackson.

The premises of Steele and Co Pty Ltd will be closed all day to-day. Employees will attend the funeral of Mr Steele at the Box Hill Cemetery. A service will be held at the Melbourne Grammar School Chapel at 2.30 pm.

During the war Mr Steele served with the 10th Battery of the 4th Brigade, AIF. His brothers were killed in action.

Original publication

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Citation details

'Steele, Henry Cyril (1891–1939)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/steele-henry-cyril-20549/text31444, accessed 4 December 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1891
Auburn, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Death

18 January, 1939 (aged ~ 48)
at sea

Cause of Death

drowned

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