ATCHISON, Samuel
| Service Number: | VX12495 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 April 1940, Caulfield, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Portland, Victoria, Australia, 7 August 1913 |
| Home Town: | Portland, Glenelg, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, New Guinea, 7 February 1943, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lae War Cemetery Plot G. Row C. grave 4, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Rainbow War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Apr 1940: | Enlisted Private, VX12495, Caulfield, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Apr 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, VX12495 | |
| 7 Feb 1943: | Involvement Lance Corporal, VX12495, 2nd/5th Infantry Battalion |
Gentle Sam
Samuel Atchison was born at Portland on 31 August 1913 to Alex Atchison and Grace (nee Mackay)
Samuel, who was remembered as a lanky 6’ 2” man, appears to have lead a quite life but enlisted in the AIF for service in WW2 (reg. no. VX12495) at Caulfield.
Sam was taken on strength per the troopship Nue Holland which sailed 15/09/1940.
He joined his unit at camp at Ikingi Maryut 31/10/1940 in Egypt. He was a Lance Corporal in 2nd 5th Infantry Battalion, which was sent to New Guinea during the Japanese invasion.
Sam was killed in action 7 February 1943 and is buried at Lae War Cemetery Plot G. Row C. grave 4. It is believed that he died on the day he landed.
Sam reportedly received 7 medals and his name appears on the honour roll at Puckapunyal's, “Bull” Allen Club, 3rd Recruit training unit.
Other family speculation suggest that Samuel was tied to a tree with wire and tortured by the enemy.
Submitted 4 November 2017 by John McKay
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