ATHERTON, William Temperley
Primary tabs
Known as:
Bill
Rank:
Marine
Unit / Base:
46RM Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Royal Marines
Service:
Royal Navy
Number:
PLY/X 111533
Born:
Friday, March 20, 1925
Birthplace:
Radcliffe, Lancashire
Died :
Friday, June 30, 1944
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age:
19
Cemetery/Memorial:
Operations:
Marine William Atherton, 'B' troop, died during operations at Normandy, France. He was in a patrol that came under heavy mortar fire after being sent to occupy a farm house, La Grande Ferme du Buisson, at Sallenelles [1][2][4].
Son of Samuel and Lydia Dorothy Atherton, of Radcliffe, Lancashire [1].
Educated at Bury Grammar School. Joined the Cadet Corps aged 17 [5].
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.
[3] The Story of 46 Commando Royal Marines by Capt Johnson RM. (published in 1946.)
[4] Accounts of veterans John Harrison and Reg Bettis in Broken Bridges (authors Keith Taylor with Jeff Hewitt).
[5] [Image] John Swain (2nd Cousin).
Notes
The CWGC at [1] above record date of death as 30 June 1944. Sources [2] [3] and Reg Bettis at [4] record the date as 2nd July 1944. Image aged 17 at Bury Grammar School where he was an officer in the cadet force (annotated on rear of photo).
Primary Roll of Honour:
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
Archive pages :
Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos
Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now].
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Contact the Archive via the [contact form].
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.
