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John Campbell Atkinson
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Rhodesians Worldwide
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Mar 08, 2012 21:11 PST
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Request from Lewis Walter follows .....
Greetings,
I am attempting to assist a concerned group in
Cornwall to trace family of J.C.Atkinson, a Rhodesian who was a member
of the RAF, and who was killed in an air crash in 1942. Details are
given below. I shall be very grateful if you will circulate this to
your members and associates, in the hope that contact may be made with
any surviving members of his family.
Thankyou very much,
Lewis Walter
Fish Hoek, Cape.
JOHN CAMPBELL ATKINSON
A RHODESIAN IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
John Atkinson was born in Messina, South Africa, on
28th October 1918. He attended Milton High School in Bulawayo. He
joined the Royal Air Force in Salisbury (Rhodesia) on 13th September
1940, and received training at 25 EFTS and 20 SFTS, both Training
Schools in Salisbury, Rhodesia. In May 1941 he attended the 61st
Training School in George, South Africa. He was then sent to
Britain and became a member of 86 Squadron of the RAF. His force
number was 778335.
He and his crew were killed in an air crash in Cornwall on
24th July 1942.
The Council and community of the area where he was based,
Camborne in Cornwall, are planning a special memorial service in July
this year to mark the 70th anniversary of their deaths. They have
been regularly remembered in services in the past.
Families of the three crew members in Britain have been
traced, but all efforts so far to trace J.C.Atkinson's family, or
information about them, have failed.
The fact that he was born in Messina, SA, and attended
school in Bulawayo suggests that his family may have lived in the Beit
Bridge area - perhaps as civil servants or famers.
His name is included on the Milton School Roll of Honour
and War Memorial, and also on the general War Memorial in Main Street,
Bulawayo.
We hope that someone, somewhere, may remember John or have
knowledge of his family, and request that you will circulate this if
possible.
Any information will be gratefully received - please send
to lewisw-@xsinet.co.za
With thanks,
Lewis Walter
Flame Lily Foundation, Cape Peninsula Branch.
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