The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2708) Sergeant John Atherton, Headquarters North Eastern Area Townsville, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Meredith Duncan, the story for this day was on (2708) Sergeant John Atherton, Headquarters North Eastern Area Townsville, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War.

2708 Sergeant John Atherton, Headquarters North Eastern Area Townsville, Royal Australian Air Force
KIA 27 March 1943
Photograph: P06872.001

Story delivered 27 March 2015

Today we pay tribute to Sergeant John Atherton, who was killed on active service with the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War.

Born on 4 January 1909 in the village of Daisy Hill in northern England, John Atherton was the son of Ellen and James Atherton. The family immigrated to Australia in 1914 and settled in the Wollongong area. Known as “Jack”, he attended the local public school and was a keen sportsman, playing tennis and football.

In 1933, aged 24, Jack married Joyce Irene Batey in the coastal town of Helensburgh. Their first daughter, Judith Ann, died as an infant, but Jack and Joyce’s dreams of having a young family came true with the healthy births of two daughters (Pamela Maria and Daryl Elaine) and a son (Richard John). Jack supported the family by working as a labourer and crane driver. He also enlisted in the Militia, serving five years with the 35th Battalion, based in Newcastle.

Jack had a strong interest in aviation, and he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 8 March 1937. He was posted first to No. 22 Squadron in Townsville as an office orderly before being transferred to Headquarters North Eastern Area as a clerk general. In March 1943 Jack was informed that he was allowed eight days of leave to spend time with his young family before embarking for overseas service in New Guinea.

In the early hours of 27 March 1943 Jack joined a large group of servicemen and servicewomen for the flight from Brisbane to Sydney.

The Douglas C46 Dakota aircraft of No. 36 Squadron took off at 5 am in conditions of poor visibility. An engine failed shortly after take-off and the aircraft crashed into heavy timber, catching fire immediately. All 23 occupants of the aircraft were killed instantly.

Jack was 34 years old.

In total, the crash claimed the lives of 17 members of the Royal Australian Air Force, one Australian Army officer, two American Army officers, and three members of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force.

The wartime Minister for Air, Fred Drakeford extended his deepest sympathy to all relatives and friends of those who had perished in the accident. A full military funeral was held in Brisbane for the fallen Australian servicemen and servicewomen. Large crowds lined Adelaide Street in central Brisbane as the funeral cortège progressed to Lutwyche Cemetery. Royal Australian Air Force servicemen acted as pall-bearers for Jack’s coffin and members of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force placed wreaths on each of the graves. Also present were 100 members of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force and 150 of the Royal Australian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff Air Vice-Marshal Jones, Minister for Air Fred Drakeford, and federal Member for Griffith Mr William Conelan.

Jack Atherton’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with some 40,000 Australians killed in the Second World War. His photograph is displayed beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Sergeant John Atherton, and all of those Australians – as well as our Allies and brothers in arms – who gave their lives in the hope for a better world.

Lucy Robertson
Volunteer, Military History Section