Date Posted:22/09/03 20:31:52 Author: John Cooper Subject: Wing Commander Geoff Atherton
On my 'Service Personnel Names' there is an article about Wing Commander Geoffrey Charles Atherton, OBE, DFC & Bar who was Officer Commanding RAF Katunayake in 1959-1960 and was very much the hero on the night of March 1st 1960 in a Hastings crashing into the sea of which I was a passenger.
Today I have received this information re Geoff from a relative in Australia on a citation awarded to him:-
Queen's Award To Airman
LONDON, July 8, A.A.P. Reuter. - The Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct has been awarded to Wing Commander Geoffrey Charles Atherton, and Australian stationed at the R.A.F. staging post at Katayumake (Ceylon).
It was awarded for courage after an aircraft crashed into the sea near the Island of Gan. Wing Commander Atherton swam to the recue of a member of the crew.
Wing Commander Atherton already holds the Distinguished Flying Cross
