LEST WE FORGET
Aircraftman Class 1 Ronald Oswald RATHKE
Service No: 140569
Born: Kensington SA, 2 February 1925
Enlisted in the RAAF: 15 June 1943
Unit: No. 67 Squadron, RAAF Station Laverton, VIC
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 67 Squadron Anson aircraft AW667), Yanakie VIC, 17 April 1944, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Sale War Cemetery Sale, VIC
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Hugo Oswald and Nellie Rathke, of Naracoorte, South Australia.
Roll of Honour: Naracoorte SA
Remembered: Panel 103, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
During a test flight on 17 April 1944, Avro Anson AW667 crashed at Yanakie killing its crew. The crew members were:
Leading Aircraftman John Joseph Griffin (19643) (Cook, Supernumerary)
Aircraftman Class 1 Ronald Oswald Rathke (140569) (Armourer, Supernumerary)
Flight Sergeant David Guise Shanks (436096) (Pilot)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 59