Regimental number | 1505 |
Place of birth | Dunolly, Victoria |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | Labourer |
Address | 82 Mount Korong Road, Bendigo, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 20 |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Rita Atherton, 82 Mount Korong Road, Bendigo, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 5th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/22/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'Displayed great courage and devotion to duty while in charge of Lewis Gun. (East of Ypres 20-23 September 1917).' Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Date of death | |
Age at death from cemetery records | 25 |
Place of burial | Eaglehawk Cemetery (Portion Roman Catholic, at the back row), Victoria |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 42 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Listed on Marist Brothers' College Roll of Honour, RSL Musem, Bendigo, Victoria. Mother: Mrs R.A. ATHERTON. Native of Dunolly, Victoria |
Medals |
Military Medal 'During the operations east of YPRES 20/23rd September 1917, L/Cpl ATHERTON was told at rear Camp that he was to remain behind at the wagon lines on account of having sore feet. He asked that he be allowed to go into the front line and was permitted to do so. He limped to the assembly position carrying his Lewis Gun and refused to allow any one to relieve him of it. Through the operation he behaved with great grit and coolness getting well up to our barrage and firing at the retiring enemy from the hip. Though buried twice by shell bursts he always had his gun in perfect order and always had ammunition. He displayed great determination throughout.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
Family/military connections | Brother: 1678 Pte Harold William ATHERTON, 5th Bn, returned to Australia, 9 March 1919. |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |