Able Seaman C/SSX3609 Peter Atherton
Regiment: Royal Navy - H.M.L.C.I.(L) 181
Theatre of War: During the D Day Landings
Date of death: 8th of June 1944
Born: St Helens, Lancs
Resided: St Helens, Lancs
Burial / Memorial: Newhaven Cemetery
Family details:
Son of Peter and Frances Atherton of Boscow Cres. St Helens
Census details:
1939 Register. Unfortunately Peter and four other members of the household are redacted. Father Peter Atherton born 03/03/1892 a Chief Operator - Sheet Glass Worker, mother Frances Atherton born 07/03/1902 an Unpaid Domestic and brother James Atherton born 02/09/1929 At School are living at 16 Boscow Crescent, Sutton, St Helens.
LCI-1 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large):
LCI 181 was leased to the United Kingdom on the 23 December 1942. These large American landing craft proved to be vital during the Normandy Landings for delivering troops onto the beaches.
Landing Craft 181 was 158 feet long and was crewed by 3 officers and 21 enlisted men. The vessel could carry into action a complement of 182 enlisted men and 6 officers and was armed with four single 20mm guns one forward, one amidship, two aft, later added two .50 cal machine guns.
Peter Atherton served in the Royal Navy during WW2. He took part in the D-Day landings on Gold Beach 6th June 1944. His ship was the infantry landing craft LCI (L) 181. The craft was stranded on the beach until emergency repairs were carried out during battle. Peter died two days later on the 8th. Official Navy records state him as being "Killed" which usually means as a result of enemy action.
