Ronald James Beecheno...
Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.) - Saturday 31 May 1952...
"MISSING BOY FOUND...
TOWNSVILLE, May 30. — After wandering for over 16 hours in cold and darkness, Ronald James Beecheno, 3 years, was found sound and well at 8.20 a.m. today."
Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld.) - Saturday 31 May 1952
"RONALD BEECHENO SAFE AFTER 16 HOURS HUNT
First Words "Where's Mummy"
After wandering for over 16 anguished and cold hours in the Black River area, three-year-old Ronald James Beecheno, of Bell Street, South Townsville, was found safe and. well by searchers at 8.20 a.m. on Friday.
Gravel-rashed, tired, and a little frightened, Ronald's first words to Mr. V. Cullen, of Edward Street, West End, who discovered him, were: "Where's Mummy?"
The boy's father, Mr. Leonard Beecheno, searched throughout the night with more than 700 volunteers Detective Senior Sergeant W. J. Cronau supervised the search and was assisted by 12 other police officers.
Ronald had wandered from his parents at the annual Waterside Workers' Picnic on Thursday at approximately 4.30 p.m.
Except for two hours before day-break on Friday, when search parties stopped for a much needed rest, the hunt was continuous from 5.20 p.m. on Thursday.
The child was first seen on Friday morning by Mr. V. Cullen, a 47-year-old waterside worker of Edward Street, West End.
Cullen, with Mr. R. K. Spalane, also a watersider, of West End, had been searching for the boy since 8.30 p.m. on Thursday.
STORY TOLD
On Friday afternoon, when Ronald was safe at home with his mother. Mr. Cullen told the story of the recovery.
He said that at the picnic on Thursday there were a few announcements over the loudspeaker asking for lost children. They were found within a few minutes after the calls.
When Ronald was announced as being lost, not much notice was taken as it was thought he would return within a short while, as the other children had done.
Mr. Cullen said he left the picnic with Mr. Spalane at about 4.30 p.m. They had forgotten about the announcement concerning the lost three-year-old.
TORCHES USED
At home he heard messages requesting all waterside workers to join in the search for a missing three-year-old in the Kulburn area.
Mr. Cullen immediately informed Mr. Spalane of the request. Together, they left in Spalane's truck for the grounds, arriving there at about 8.30 p.m.
Equipped with torches, the two men joined another party of about 30, and began their search.
Walking along a branch road leading to the beach, the party thought they heard a child's cry, but were unable to trace the sound. Further on, they discovered tracks in the soft ground, and the party continued to search in that area.
Slowly the searchers forged on to the Black River, but found no sign of the boy other than the tracks. Then, on returning, they heard distinctly a voice say, "Mummy." That was about 12.30 a.m.
Every searcher was shouting the boy's name, with the result it was difficult to trace the direction from which the sound came.
ALL LISTENED
Suddenly, when news of the voice spread along the line, there was silence as everyone listened for the voice again. Then it drifted through the darkness: "Mummy!"
At 2.45 a.m. Cullen's party met Detective Cronau, and it was decided then to halt the search until daybreak.
Cullen and Spalane arrived back at West End at 3.30 a.m. Two hours later, with hundreds of others, including Detective Cronau, they resumed the search.
SAW FOOTPRINT
The two men began their search at the spot where they had discovered the footprint the night before. Fifty yards further on they stopped the truck and walked up the bank of the creek tor about 50 yards. There they noticed another footprint.
This made them feel sure that the boy was still alive, and they continued the search with new hope. The time now was about 6.45 a.m.
They notified Detective Cronau, and brought him and others back to the creek. Stretched out in a line, they walked along the creek bank.
"THERE HE IS"
After another hour of continuous searching, Cullen called to Spalane: "There he is, that's him."
About 20 yards away, wearing long trousers and a sweater, was the three-year-old, covered from head to foot with spear grass seeds. He was walking to the railway line, which was about 2½ miles away.
When he heard the noise behind him he turned. His lip dropped, and he said, "Where's Mummy?" After a pause he said, "I hope Mummy doesn't beat me for running away?"
Happy that they had found him the men carried him back to the truck, and returned him to his father, who had been searching all night.
Detective Cronau came forward and handed the boy some money. "Here," he said, "buy an ice-cream sometime to-day."
The long tiring search was ended. Ronald's father returned with him to Townsville, and the tired searchers went home to rest."