Somerton Man Mystery" West Terrace Cemetery

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Six months after his body as discovered at Somerton Beach, the funeral of the Somerton Man took place on 14 June 1949 at West Terrace Cemetery. The service was arranged with some secrecy to ensure that the curious public would be kept away. Captain E.J. Webb of the Salvation Army led the service, and a small wooden cross was placed as a headstone. A few days after the service, A. Collins, a mason, provided a proper headstone for the grave which was inscribed with the words:

HERE LIES
THE UNKNOWN MAN
WHO WAS FOUND AT
SOMERTON BEACH
1st DEC.1948

Three days after the Somerton Man was buried, the Coronial Inquest into his death commenced at the Independent Order of Oddfellows Building (IOOF) on Flinders Street. The inquest was presided over by Coroner Thomas Cleland and a number of people involved in the investigation testified, including John Lyons, Detectives Leane and Brown, Dr Bennett, Dr Cleland, and Paul Lawson. In his concluding remarks, the Coroner stated that:

“The evidence is too inconclusive to warrant a finding. There is no evidence as to who the deceased was. Although he died during the night of the 30 November – 1st December, I cannot say whether it was administered by the deceased himself or by some other person.

I therefore adjourn this inquest sine die.” (without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing).