Letters from WWI soldiers found in bottle to be reunited with descendants

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Two letters written by World War I soldiers were found sealed inside a bottle that washed ashore on a remote Western Australian beach, according to ABC News.

The bottle was discovered by local woman Debra Brown and her family while cleaning up Wharton Beach.

Inside were letters from Private Malcolm Alexander Neville of South Australia and William Kirk Harley, both written in 1916 during the war.

Brown traced Neville’s great-nephew, Herbie Neville, from South Australia.

Herbie Neville described the discovery as “unbelievable” for the family.

“It’s been amazing how much has come to the surface in his short time in WWI,” Neville said.

Private Neville’s letter revealed that he first enlisted in early 1916 but was discharged a month later due to poor eyesight, however he re-enlisted only a week afterward, joining the service corps, and was later killed in France at age of 28.

The second letter belonged to William Kirk Harley, who survived the war. His granddaughter, Ann Turner, described the letter as “a miracle,” and said "We are all absolutely stunned. There are five grandchildren who are still alive."