Gerry Atwell

Gerald Joseph Atwell (16 January 1917 – 20 April 1944) was an Australian RAAF pilot whose plane failed to return from a bombing raid over Italy in WWII. He had been a top-grade rugby league footballer who played in the New South Wales Rugby League for North Sydney.^[1]

Gerry Atwell

Personal information
Full name	Gerald Joseph Atwell
Born	(1917-01-16)16 January 1917 Campsie, New South Wales, Australia
Died	20 April 1944(1944-04-20) (aged 27) Adriatic Sea
Playing information
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	163 lb (74 kg)
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1940 North Sydney 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Early life and rugby career

Atwell was born on 16 January 1917 in Campsie to Henry and Mary Atwell.^[2] He appeared twice for North Sydney in 1940.^[1] He worked as a hairdresser.^[3]

Personal life and military career

Atwell enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 24 May 1941 in Sydney during WWII.^[4] He trained as a pilot and was assigned as such on 30 May 1942, sailing to England in August of that year.^[5][6] Pilot Officer Atwell was attached to No. 614 Squadron RAF in early 1944, flying Handley Page Halifax bombers from Celone Airfield.^[6][7] On 20 April, Atwell took off in Halifax JF108 to conduct a bombing mission against marshalling yards at Mestre. The aircraft assigned to the mission were recalled after the weather deteriorated, but JF108 did not arrive back at base and was considered lost.^[7] The bodies of three crew members were recovered; however, Atwell and the other crewmen have never been found.^[7] He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.^[2]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	Division	League				Other				Total
			Apps	Tries	Goals	Points	Apps	Tries	Goals	Points	Apps	Tries	Goals	Points
North Sydney	1940	New South Wales Rugby League[1]	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
Career total			2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0

See also

• List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea

References

1. "Gerry Atwell – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
2. "Casualty Details: Atwell, Gerald Joseph". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
3. "NAA: A9300, ATWELL G J". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
4. "World War Two Service". Australian Government – Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
5. "NAA: A9300, ATWELL G J". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
6. "NAA: A9300, ATWELL G J". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
7. "ATWELL Gerald Joseph 411673". Highgate RSL. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2020.