The gravestone of 13-year-old Frederick William Spurdle can be found in the Waitara Military Cemetery, McLean St, Waitara. Frederick drowned in the Waitara River on 23 September 1878 after falling into the river from a boat he was rowing on the river. There were several attempts to save him by locals, and his sister Lizzie Spurdle, however he was pulled unresponsive from the water. He was born of 27 October 1865 and was the son of Oliver and Maria Spurdle.
Inscription on gravestone reads:
FREDERICK WILLIAM SPURDLE
DROWNED IN THE WAITARA RIVER
23RD SEPT 1878
AGED 13 YEARS
The lettering is badly deteriorated and the full text was available only from a transcription made by NP Genealogists in c1975.
The Late Fatal Accident at Waitara Taranaki Herald 26 September 1878
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