Home Australia Anzac Day: WWII veteran John Atkinson, 98, dies on his way to dawn service

Anzac Day: WWII veteran John Atkinson, 98, dies on his way to dawn service

by Elijah
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John Atkinson, 98, was traveling to the coast from Port Broughton in South Australia on Thursday morning when he fell off his scooter and died.

A Second World War veteran has died while heading to an Anzac Day morning service.

John Atkinson, 98, was traveling to Port Broughton beach in South Australia on Thursday morning when he fell off his mobility scooter, the Yorke Peninsula National Times reported.

They helped him up but he reportedly fell again.

John Atkinson, 98, was traveling to the coast from Port Broughton in South Australia on Thursday morning when he fell off his scooter and died.

An ambulance was called but he died at the scene.

“He was looking forward to taking part in the dawn service and then leading the local march from the RSL, as he has done many times before,” Mr Atkinson’s son Russell said.

“She was so independent and resilient.”

Atkinson joined the RAAF in 1943, as soon as he turned 18, to help in the war effort.

He served as a transport driver in the Pacific.

The Returned and Service League of Australia sent its condolences to Mr Atkinson’s family, saying it was “very sad news”.

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