Also Served: Herbert Atherton - Herbert ATHERTON
39, Kemble Street, Prescot Pte 321145, 5 Coy, Motor Transport Unit, Royal Army Service Corps Herbert was born in Prescot on 12th April 1891, the first son (After three daughters) of Robert and Alice Atherton.
Although he originally attested for military service on 10th February 1916, Herbert joined the RASC on 10th May 1917, aged 24. He was Single and gave his next of kin as his mother, Alice, at the same address. His trade was a Diamond Cutter in the Watch Industry, following in his father's footsteps
He probably joined the RASC as he had already held a Driving Licence for around 10 years.
An image of Herbert's early Driving Licence
At some point in his service, Herbert was based in the Middle East. He sailed from Avonmouth on 4th March and arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, on 18th April 1918. He then Embarked from Beirut to Dover in June 1919. However, on 12th July Herbert stated that he had no wish to return to his unit in Egypt.
Herbert was transferred to the Class 'Z' Army Reserve on 22nd October 1919 and was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Extract from the 1939 National register, showing Herbert working as a DIamind Cutter and living in Huyton Lane
He died in Prescot in 1958, aged 67
Ref. No.: A0157
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