Wednesday 10 August 2022 05:46 PM Somerton Man's family revealed and why he was wearing American clothes at the ... trends now

Wednesday 10 August 2022 05:46 PM Somerton Man's family revealed and why he was wearing American clothes at the ... trends now
Wednesday 10 August 2022 05:46 PM Somerton Man's family revealed and why he was wearing American clothes at the ... trends now

Wednesday 10 August 2022 05:46 PM Somerton Man's family revealed and why he was wearing American clothes at the ... trends now

Pictured: An artistic impression of Carl 'Charles' Webb, dubbed The Somerton Man

Pictured: An artistic impression of Carl 'Charles' Webb, dubbed The Somerton Man

The 'Somerton man', who was found dead on an Adelaide Beach in 1948, was the youngest of six siblings, had German roots and might've been wearing US clothes from his brother-in-law when he died, according to new research.

It comes after Adelaide University researcher Derek Abbott successfully identified the mystery man as Carl 'Charles' Webb just weeks prior - 74 years after his body was discovered.

Strange details in the case sparked wild theories about who he was and how he came to be on Somerton Park Beach.

Bizarrely, he had an unlit cigarette resting on his chest, a coded note in his pocket and a book of Persian poems with him.

He was dressed in a perfectly-pressed double-breasted suit and tie and his shoes were freshly shined.

The fact he was never claimed and the way he was found led many to speculate he was a Cold War-era spy. Others believed he may have been a scorned ex lover.

A post-mortem examination ruled he was poisoned, but was never identified because no family members came forward to claim him.

But Mr Webb was actually a 43-year-old electrical engineer and instrument maker from Footscray in Melbourne

Now Professor Abbott has uncovered information about the Webb family after looking through records, articles and reaching out to distant relatives.

He managed to gain further material from Mr Webb's oldest brother. 

The 'Somerton man' was identified as Carl 'Charles' Webb (pictured), a 43-year-old electrical engineer and instrument maker from Footscray in Melbourne

The 'Somerton man' was identified as Carl 'Charles' Webb (pictured), a 43-year-old electrical engineer and instrument maker from Footscray in Melbourne

Carl 'Charles' Webb was born in Melbourne in 1905 and was the youngest of six siblings, according to Professor Abbott, who provided details to The Advertiser

He had two brothers - Richard Russell Webb and Roy Webb - and three sisters -  Freda Grace Webb, Gladys May Webb, Doris Maud Webb.

The family had German roots as their father, Richard August Webb, had moved to Australia from Hamburg, Germany.

He married Eliza Amelia Morris Grace in 1892 and opened a bakery in Springvale, Victoria.

Mr Webb and his two brothers Richard and Roy both worked at their family's bakery. 

Professor Abbott also shed some light on why the 'Somerton Man' may have been wearing American clothing at the time of his death.

He revealed that Mr Webb's oldest sister, Freda Grace Webb, was married to Thomas Gerald Keane, who went by Gerald.

The couple's son, John Keane, died in the World War II in 1943, which was the same year Mr Webb's brother Roy died in battle.

John Keane's possessions included items such as a map of Chicago and some American coins, which implies he resided in the US at some point.

'Therefore, the hand-me-downs that (Carl) Charles Webb received from his brother-in-law might likely have included clothing of his nephew, explaining why a number of items in the Somerton Man's possessions appeared to be of US origin,' Professor Webb added.

It also gave a further clue as to why Mr Webb had the word 'Keane' labelled on his tie when his body was found.

Mr Webb had five siblings including two brothers and three sisters (pictured, older sister Doris Maud Webb)

Mr Webb had five siblings including two brothers and three sisters (pictured, older sister Doris Maud Webb)

Mr Webb's older brother Roy (pictured) worked with him at the family bakery. Roy died in World War II in 1943

Mr Webb's older brother Roy (pictured) worked with him at the family bakery. Roy died in World War II in 1943

Adelaide University researcher Derek Abbott (pictured) successfully identified the 'Somerton man' weeks ago and has now uncovered more details about the mystery man

Adelaide University researcher

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