Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alex Todd Atchison was born on 12 February 1923 at Portland and had a tragic life after the early death of his mother, Frances Grace (nee Mackay) aged just 40 when Alex was only 3 years old.

His father was a troubled man and alcoholic who intended to take young Alex's life in mid April 1931 but was prevented by neighbours, before committing suicide.

Alex seems to have been moved around to relatives and despite being a gifted artist, didn't stay long in school. He predominately worked as a labourer arouind the Casterton ares in Victoria's western district.

Alex followed his older brother Samuel for service in World War 2 and enlisted at Caulfield with the Australian Military Forces on 17 June 1940. He was cited as being 20 years and 4 months old when in reality he was barely 17.

Alex was initially being placed with the 8th Division Infantry as a Machine Gunner, no. VX45025. Alex was noted as having black hair, brown eyes with his height recorded as 5ft 11 inches.

He later served with the 2/32 Australian Infantry Battalion, 24th Brigade, 9th Division serving for a total of 1,389 days, 351 of which were in Australia and 762 overseas.

Alex has a long list of offences, predominately for drunkenness and being AWOL
He was court marshaled 24 Sep 1943 (control symbol 42892 series A471, barcode 8831877

He was discharged on 24th July 1945 with his papers stamped “... he is deemed to be incorrigible”.

Alex was found dead in a lane near the Freezing words in Portland on 28 November 1954, aged only 30. He was noted as being gaunt and malnourished.