FRANCIS WRIGHT ATHERTON 

Francis Wright ATHERTON
Rank: Lieutenant
Service Number:N/A.
Regiment: RAF
Killed In Action Wednesday 15th May 1918
Age 21
County Memorial West Kirby
Commemorated\Buried Basra Memorial
Grave\Panel Ref: Panel 43 and 64.
CountryIraq

Francis Wright's Story.

Birkenhead News  29 May 1918

R.F.A. Officer Killed.

Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Atherton, Park Road, West Kirby, have been officially notified that their only son, a lieutenant in the Royal Air Force, had been killed in action in Mesopotamia. Joining the R.F.A. when only seventeen years he was soon on active service where his intelligence and bravery entitled him to his commission. As a full lieutenant he took part in the Somme battle and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He returned to England with an attack of trench fever, subsequently helping to train contingents of artillery at Norfolk. He went out to Mesopotamia last summer, and was made observation officer in the R.A.F. Much sympathy is expressed with his bereaved parents.