Paton, Archibald McMeekin (Mac)
Age: 26
Date of birth: 28th January 1917
Parents: Sydney and Catherine Winifred nee Gilchrist of Tallangatta, Victoria, Australia
Wife: Margarethe R Tiefenbrun
Address:
Occupation: Farmer
Archibald (Mac) was born on 28th January 1917 in Tallangata, Victoria, Australia. His parents were John Sydney (Jack – 1880-1950) and Catherine Winifred nee Gilchrist (1879-1928).
He had three brothers John Gilchrist (1915-1938), Roy Fraser (1918-1996) and David (1920 -1922). His middle brother, Roy, served in the Australian Army during the war.
We know that Mac was a farmer, due to an entry in an Electoral register.
He may have married Margarethe R Tiefenbrun in Q1 of 1943, in Downham, Norfolk shortly before his death.
Mac is commemorated at All Saints Church, where he attended services with his friend, Ted Hanson.
Military Service
Rank & Number: Flying Officer, 400734
Regiment/Service: Royal Australian Airforce
Brigade/Division: Fighter Command, 151 Squadron
Date of death: 23rd March 1943
Cause of death/Battle: Crashed during an emergency landing at Wittering
Commemorated/Buried: Warwick Cemetery - buried alongside his friend Thomas Hanson
Awards:
Commemorated locally at: All Saints Church, Warwick
Mac as he was known came to the UK from Australia early in the war and took part in the Battle of Britain.
He had been continually on active service up until his death when he was based at Wittering, Northants. His Mosquito 1i was damaged by flak during a night ranger and crashed during an emergency landing back at base.
Also killed in the crash was Flying Officer Thomas Hanson who was also a good friend. They had a double funeral and were buried side by side in Warwick Cemetery.
Contributors
* Unlocking Warwick Research Group
* Warwick Advertiser excerpts courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office