ATHERTON, John
| Service Number: | 2708 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 March 1937 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | DAISY HILL, ENGLAND, 4 January 1909 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Archerfield Airfield, Queensland, Australia , Amberley, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, 27 March 1943, aged 34 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld ANZ 7 75 57, Lutwyche Cemetery, Lutwyche, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 8 Mar 1937: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 2708 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 2708 |
Help us honour John Atherton's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of James and Ellen Atherton; husband of Joyce Irene Atherton, of Speers Point, New South Wales.
Biography contributed by David Barlow
Douglas DC3 (C-47) VH-CTB, A30-16 (A65-2) of 36 Squadron RAAF Townsville was involved in a fatal accident at Archerfield Aerodrome with a total of all 23 personnel on board killed making this the 10th Worst Air Disaster in Australia (see ozatwar for more info). The crew of four RAAF personnel were killed as were all passengers consisting of 17 Australian and 2 American personnel.
RAAF Personnel:
400454 Flying Officer Alexander Kenn Arnold (pilot) 36 Squadron RAAF
Sergeant Joseph Hammond (co-pilot) 36 Squadron RAAF
Sergeant Lyle Carter Morgan (Wireless Operator) 36 Squadron RAAF
LAC Samuel Ivan Wiles (Fitter) 36 Squadron RAAF
Sergeant John Atherton HQ North Eastern Area, Townsville
LAC Thomas William Beckley 20 Signals Unit, Townsville
Pilot Officer David Andrew Blackley 20 Signals Unit, Townsville
LAC John Edward Chinner 3 Fighter Sector, Townsville
Sergeant Robert William Tylden Chisholm 1 Reserve Personnel Pool, Garbutt
LAC Kevin Francis Flanagan 9 Mobile Fighter Sector, Milne Bay
LAC Charles Paton Eric Fly 12 Signals Unit, Townsville
Sergeant Max Irvenia Thomas Jarvis 28 Radar Finding Unit, Fitzroy Island, Cairns
LAC Terrence Joseph Kelly 12 Signals Unit, Townsville
LAC Kenneth Owen Paton 11 Squadron, RAAF
Pilot Officer Alfred Tatlock 20 Signals Unit, Townsville
LAC Geoffrey Frederick Waters 1 Transport and Movement Office, Sydney
Corporal Thomas Keith McDowell Watt 28 Radar Finding Unit, Fitzroy Island, Cairns
WAAAF Personnel:
Corporal Violet May Gunning WAAAF Brisbane W/T Station
Corporal Ruth Ada Hills WAAAF Brisbane W/T Station
ACW Florence May Jackson WAAAF Brisbane W/T Station
Australian Army Personnel:
Lieutenant Irwin Leo Smith A.C.M.F. 2 L. of C. Sub Area, Australian Headquarters
US Army Personnel: Major Eugene H. Halliwell (0-393127) and 1st Lieutenant Francis M. Skinner (0-430024)
Click images to start slideshow.