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WWII veteran dies on way to memorial service
Published 12:36 25 Apr 2024 BST
Updated 16:34 25 Apr 2024 BST
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A veteran of the Second World War has died on his way to a memorial service.
John Atkinson, an Australian veteran, was on his way to his local dawn service for Anzac Day.
Anzac Day is Australia's national day of remembrance, and it falls on April 25.
The Yorke Peninsula Country Times reported that the veteran died when he fell off his mobility scooter on the way to the dawn service.
John's son Russell told the outlet that his father had been helped back onto the scooter by passers by, but then fell again. Paramedics arrived at the scene after an ambulance was called, but John sadly passed away at the scene.
“He was very much looking forward to taking part in the dawn service, and later leading the local march from the RSL, as he has done many times before,” his son Russell told The Times.
“He was so independent and resilient.”
The outlet reported that John served in the RAAF working as a transport driver in the Pacific. He signed up as soon as he could at the age of 18.
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