3 June 2024
A memorial service has been held for World War 2 RAAF pilot Flight Sergeant Charles Carr Atkin, who was killed in action when his Royal Air Force (RAF) Wellington aircraft (Z1109) crashed in The Netherlands after being hit by anti-aircraft fire on March 4, 1943.
The May 2 ceremony at Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery in The Netherlands was attended by Flight Sergeant Atkin’s nieces, a nephew and a great niece, who travelled from Australia, along with members of the local community.
Dignitaries included Australian Government representative Deputy Head of Mission and Post Security Officer, The Netherlands, James Buttigieg; Australian Military Representative to NATO Air Vice-Marshal Dianne Turton; and Defence Attaché to Belgium and The Netherlands Lieutenant Colonel Carney Elias.
The family expressed their gratitude to the Australian Government and the ADF for organising the service, as well as to local volunteers who care for the graves.
Flight Sergeant Atkin’s niece, Caroline Storch, said the service for her uncle was very moving.
“I thought of his bravery, the sadness for his mother (my grandmother), his sister (my mother), his brother Philip, his darling wife and his two-year-old son, and how grateful we are to so many wonderful, caring people,” she said.
“Now he will never be forgotten. We, his family, thank you all.”
Flight Sergeant Atkin’s great niece, Josephine Grieve, said she appreciated everything that was done to organise the memorial service.
“It is difficult to find words to articulate how moving and significant the service was for the family members present and the extended family in general,” she said.
'We will continue to honour those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.'
Locals who attended the ceremony expressed their gratitude to the Allied soldiers from so far away who came to help liberate The Netherlands, and for the opportunity to attend the service.
On the night of March 4, 1943, Flight Sergeant Atkin and the crew of Wellington Z1109 were tasked to drop leaflets over Breskens in The Netherlands. In addition to Flight Sergeant Atkin, the crew consisted of four RAF personnel: Sergeants CE Gunning, RH Roskell, GS Loveday and JA Molloy. During their mission, Wellington Z1109 was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed into a field.
Sergeant Molloy bailed out over the sea and remains missing, while Sergeants Gunning, Roskell and Loveday safely bailed out over land and were taken as prisoners of war. Flight Sergeant Atkin was the sole occupant of the aircraft when it crashed, and his remains were buried at Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery.
However, in November 2013, a civilian contractor mistakenly excavated the crash site, unearthing aircraft components and additional human remains. After a meticulous investigation, a Defence Identification Board confirmed the remains were additional remains of Flight Sergeant Atkin.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission reunified Flight Sergeant Atkin’s remains on October 3, 2023, prior to the memorial service on May 2.
Flight Sergeant Atkin left behind a wife, Jessie, and son, Philip, both of whom are now deceased.
Director General RAAF History and Heritage Branch Air Commodore Rob Lawson said memorials and commemorations of war dead were important to the member’s surviving family as well as the ADF.
“I am delighted we were able to organise the memorial service in coordination with the family,” Air Commodore Lawson said.
“The family have expressed their deepest appreciation for the efforts of Air Force and for the in-country support provided by Lieutenant Colonel Elias.
“We will continue to honour those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.”
