Prescot Roll of Honour

John ATHERTON

33, Kemble Street, Prescot

46480, Royal Field Artillery

Born in Prescot in 1896, the son of John and Ethel Atherton, John Atherton John was a 20 year old Baker when he attested for service in Preston on 9th October 1916. He was initially posted to the Royal Field Artillery.

He was transferred to the West Yorkshire Regiment on 12th January 1917 and went to France while serving with them. He suffered a Gun Shot Wound to the mouth on 31st August 1917.

John transferred to 14th Battalion of the Tank Corps in November 1917 and was renumbered to 301765.

He came home to the UK in December 1917 and while he was home he married Ethel Strettle at Whiston Parish Church on 1st April 1918 before returning to France on 19th June. He was then wounded again in August 1918, receiving Gun Shot Wounds to the arm and leg. After being moved to 26 General Hospital at Etaples on 26th August, he moved to 13 Convalescent Depot on 31st and then on 24th September 1918 he rejoined his unit.

John was finally discharged and transferred to Class Z of the Armry Reserve on 22nd
February 1919. His address on discharge was Dragon Row, Warrington Road, Prescot.

John was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. After returning home, he and Ethel had three daughters; Lily (1921), Edna (1926) and Joan (1933).