Message in a bottle ‘returns’ to Jersey beach 82 years later
Note from September 1938 asks finder to ‘communicate’ with man in Hertfordshire
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A message in a bottle asking the finder to send a photograph has washed ashore after more than 80 years at sea.
Nigel Hill was walking his dog Reggie on a beach in the Bel Royal area of Jersey when he stumbled upon the bottle and was surprised to find a message written on cardboard inside.
The note, dated 5 September 1938, asks the finder to “communicate” with a man named John Stapleford in Hertfordshire – and to send a photograph.
It was handwritten on the back of an old cake box from Cawley Bros Ltd and placed in a Smith’s bottle.
The companies were both once based in Jersey, which has led people to believe the message originates from the island.
Mr Hill, 55, said: “I was just walking along and saw it and thought it looked interesting. Then I saw the note inside.
“Unfortunately, I had to break it to get the note out.”
The message read: “Will the finder of this bottle please communicate with: John Stapleford, 18 Fitzjohn Avenue, Barnet, Herts, England. With a photograph.”
Mr Hill shared his find on Facebook and was soon able to track down the current resident living at the address.
He said: “I thought at first this might be a hoax but it’s definitely not.
“As is the way with Jersey, I had lots of people contact me to help and I have been able to track down the lady who currently lives in the property.
“She says she does not recall a John Stapleford and she has lived there for 30 years.
“But she has looked into the deeds of her home and found that a John Stapleford did buy the place in 1921.
“It would be really nice if I could give the bottle and the note back to members of his family. It could be an heirloom for them.”
Birth and death records show Mr Stapleton was born on 4 August 1889 and had worked as a civil servant as well as chief accountant with HM Customs and Excise.
It is believed he had a wife called Nellie and that he died on 2 December 1980, aged 91.
His address then was St George House, 11 London Road, Norfolk.
Additional reporting by SWNS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments