"In a fight between an airman and a civilian at midnight on Saturday at a hotel at Renwicktown, the airman, A.C.2 Jack Crowhurst, single; 21, of Hamilton, was knocked unconscious, and when an Air Force doctor examined him an hour later he was found to be dead. The police are investigating. It appears that Crowhurst and an airman companion went to the hotel after a dance and had supper with the licensee, Mr. R. V. Geddes, and his wife, as had been their custom for a period of several months. Civilians called at the hotel and objected to being turned away while airmen were there. Hard words were exchanged, and a fight ensued in the hotel backyard, where Crowhurst was knocked out.

The licensee ejected the civilians, and on returning found Crowhurst still unconscious. He carried him inside and called a doctor, but Crowhurst died before his arrival. An inquest was opened yesterday for identification, and was adjourned sine die."

[Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 12, 15 January 1945, Page 6]

AC1 Crowhurst was a cook with the Air Force and had completed a tour in the South Pacific with 25 Servicing Unit.

“An open verdict was returned at the inquest into the death of Aircraftman (second-class) Jack Crowhurst, aged 21, of Hamilton, who died of injuries received in a fracas near an hotel at Renwicktown in the early hours of January 14. Ten witnesses were called, including three or four civilians. The coroner, Mr. E. J. Hill, said he did not propose to comment at any length, although there was plenty of scope in the evidence for comment. Crowhurst was killed during a brawl at night in the hotel backyard. There was evidence that blows were struck and of deceased being found stretched on the ground. There was no evidence as to who struck the blow that felled him, or how his skull was fractured.” [Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 59, 10 March 1945, Page 6]