Flight Sergeant Wilfred George Atkinson
232 (Spitfire) Squadron
Died over Sicily, August 12, 1943, aged 23
One game for Carlton, 1942

One of the hundreds of league footballers who volunteered for active service in World War II, Wilf Atkinson played his only game for Carlton shortly before his posting overseas.

Born in Armadale in Melbourne’s south-east, Wilf had been recruited from Sandringham after originally turning out for Hampton - and he played alongside future Carlton captain Bob Atkinson to whom he was not related.

In that one appearance - against South Melbourne at Princes Park in the 2nd round of 1942 - Wilf ran out carrying Dylan Buckley’s No.7 on his back, and lined up in the centre.

Amidst wartime deprivation of all kinds, the Old Dark Navy Blues unveiled six debutants against South on that Autumn Saturday afternoon, including Jim Knight who , like Wilf, would later lose his life on active service.

Having previously signed on with the RAAF, Wilf underwent basic pilot training at Point Cook through his time at Carlton, and soon after completing his senior debut was posted overseas as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. The scheme was designed to fast-track young men from the Dominions into competent aircrew.

Wilf was evidently considered an outstanding prospect, and so found himself destined for an elite fighter squadron. In early 1943, he was awarded his pilot’s wings and posted to 232 (Spitfire) Squadron, RAF, then based on the island of Malta to support the impending Allied invasion of Sicily.

On August 12, 1943, 23 year-old Flight Sergeant Wilfred George Atkinson was killed when his aircraft was shot down on a mission over the Aegean Sea.

Neither his plane nor his body was ever recovered.

Wilf’s sacrifice, like those of the thousands of other Allied airmen killed in the Mediterranean campaign, has not been forgotten by the people of Malta. Near the main harbor of Valetta stands a 15-metre marble column, topped by a gilded sculpture of an eagle.

Dedicated to the brave men of all Allied nations who flew in defence of the island, the inscription reads;

“An island resolute of purpose remembers resolute men.”