Other than the circus of speculation surrounding the 1963 assignation of American President John F Kennedy, it is doubtful there has been a national leader’s demise shrouded in more ambiguity than the death of Harold Holt. 

Harold Edward Holt was Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister, holding office from January 1966 until he died in December 1967.

A strong supporter of American President Lyndon B Johnson’s position in the Vietnam War, Holt supported his predecessor, Robert Menzies, and sent young Australians to fight in the conflict. This was an issue, as Australia was not formally at war. The Liberal Party’s policy believed if Asia succumbed to communism, it would geographically isolate Australia from the rest of the world. This drew vigorous protest from the opposing Labour Party’s supporters and radical students of the day.

Yet, despite the Liberal policy of the era, Holt was the first Australian PM to meet many of the South-east Asian leaders in their own countries to improve the country’s trade with Asia.

Mr. Holt, however, will forever be remembered more for how he left office rather than for what he did while leading the country.

On the morning of December 17, 1967, Holt decided to go for a swim in Cheviot Beach, near Portsea in the Australian state of Victoria. He was never heard or seen from again and was presumed drowned.

As if scripted for a feature film, many conspiracy theories have been speculated regarding Holt’s death.

One such theory is that America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had Holt killed on account that he was preparing to withdraw Aussie troops from Vietnam. This seems unlikely, as Australia’s role in the war, albeit gallant, was relatively modest.

There were inklings that the PM was depressed over the recent death of his brother Cliff, along with other personal problems, and had committed suicide. His staff at the time strenuously claimed all was well inside Holt’s head and that his spirits were high.

Another theory – which is my favorite – has Holt swimming to a waiting Chinese submarine off the shore of Portsea, thus claiming him a communist spy. The story continues with him moving to France, where he died of a heart attack in the mid 1980s.

Most accounts suggest Cheviot Beach was not fit for recreational activities because of its dangerously rough waves and nearby shark-infestation. Although known as an accomplished swimmer, the 59-year-old Holt likely drowned, with sharks consuming his carcass.

It’s the simplest and most possible of scenarios – Prime Minister Holt fell victim to an over whelming surf and his country’s active imagination.

There was word that the Liberal government tried to cover up the fact that the Prime Minister was accompanied on that fateful morning by a number of young women, including his mistress. This is probable. Much like President Kennedy, Holt was known as a bit of a ladies’ man. 

An odd twist to the story, there is a Harold Holt Memorial public swimming pool in a Melbourne suburb, which apparently, is a popular place to partake in a leisurely swim.

- Zalameda writes from Melbourne.

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