The Narracoorte Herald (SA : 1875 - 1954) Friday 28 April 1944
93271The late Ronald Oswald Rathke.
A great gloom was cast over the
town of Narracoorte when it was
made known that the young, very
popular, well liked and highly thought
of airman, A.C.1. Ronald O. Rathke,
had been killed in an aircraft. acci-
dent and no doubt doubt this tragic news
came as a real shock to his grief-
stricken father and only sister. Only
last Thursday week Ron had a 17 min-
utes' talk over the phone with his
father and sister, at which. time he
seeemed to be in high spirits contem-
plating being home for his sister's
coming-of-age party in the near fu-
ture. He thanked them for the par-
cel from home, and was looking for-
ward to the next one which was ready
to be packed and sent to him when
the Postmaster (Mr. C. Brown) per-
-sonally delivered the telegram. Mr.
Brown, in his usual able and sympa-
thetic manner, comforted the bereav-
ed, and gave valuable advice, and as-
sisted the father in contacting the
C.O. of his late son's unit. Mr. A.
James, President of the Narracoorte
sub-branch of the R.S.L. and Presi-
dent of the R.S.L. also did their ut-
most to have the natural request of
his father and sister carried out to
have the body brought to Narracoorte
for burial, but of no avail. Ron was
born at Kengsington on the 2nd Feb-
ruary, 19 years ago. For the past
12 years he lived at Narracoorte and
attended the Primary and High Schools.
After his graduation from
these schools he assisted his father in
the plumbing trade. About two years
ago he joined up with the A.T.C's.
and about 12 months ago he received,
his call-up for the R. A. A. F. He was
a member of St John's .Lutheran
Chnrch, Narracoorte. His re-
mains were laid to rest with full military
honors on Wednesday, April 19th, in
a very pretty and well laid out ceme-
tery at Sale, Victoria. The Rev.
W.Noske, of Melbourne, conducted
the service.
Mr.H.O. Rathke and Jean have
received many telegrams of sympathy
including one from the Minister for
Air (Mr. Drakeford), Minister for War
(Mr. Ford), Ron's Commanding Officer
and the District President of the
Lutheran Church (Rev: Hassold), and
many personal expressions of sym-
pathy.