VALE: Oliver John Scott (Jock) Atkinson DFC

We lost one of our Air Force legends last week, this Monday we celebrate the life of Oliver John Scott Atkinson DFC.

Jock, as he liked to be called, started his military career as a private soldier in the 61st Battalion, Queensland Cameron Highlanders. He transferred to the RAAF, underwent flight training and was posted to 57 Squadron at East Kirkby.  He was awarded the DFC flying Lancasters in Bomber Command.

hodgeson 7690

hodgeson 7690

Formerly of Kenmore and recently of Fairview, Pinjarra Hills. Oliver John Scott Atkinson DFC (Jock), passed away peacefully on 11 May, 2015, aged 95 years. Dearly loved Husband of Heather, Father and Father-in-law of Roslyn and Richard, Elizabeth (dec’d), John (dec’d), and Grandfather and Grandfather-in-law of Claire, Tom and Emmy, Great-grandfather of Allegra and Alex Jock, and Uncle of Peter and Mary, Lynn and Jamie, Great-uncle of James and Philip, Charles, Eleanor and Felicity and their Families.

A service to celebrate Jock’s wonderful life will be held at 11.00a.m., on Monday, 18 May, 2015 in bushland surroundings at the Chapel, Centenary Memorial Gardens, 353 Wacol Station Road, Sumner Park Q.  The President of Kenmore-Moggill Sub Branch respectfully requests that Members , attend the Funeral Service.

During the Second World War, Britain’s Royal Air Force was divided into a number of functional and geographic commands in line with an organisation that had first been implemented in 1936. Bomber Command was based in Great Britain and was responsible for bombing targets in enemy-controlled Europe.

bomber-command-web_2At the height of its operations in late 1944 Bomber Command comprised over 80 operational squadrons. These squadrons were organised into several groups on the basis of their role, the type of aircraft they operated, and the locations of the airfields from which they operated. In 1939 these groups were numbered 2-5 and by the end of the war Bomber Command comprised 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Canadian), 8 (Pathfinder), 100 (Special Duties), and 91, 92 and 93 (Training) groups.

Approximately 10,000 Royal Australian Air Force personnel served with Bomber Command and 3,486 were killed.

“Lest we Forget”