'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: 7 March 1918

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	25 November 1914
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 19 February 1915
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: 29 September 1917
Fate	Returned to Australia 31 March 1919
Date of death	30 June 1920
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: 7 March 1918
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

Charles Fleming ATHERTON