Flight-Sergeant Roger Leigh Eaton, missing since 5th August 1943, is now presumed to have been killed in air operations over Sicily.

R. L. Eaton, younger son of Mrs. Eaton, of Alexandra Avenue Canterbury, and of the late S. A. Eaton, and brother of Group Captain Brian Eaton, D.S.O. and Bar, D.F.C., was at the school from February, 1932, to June, 1933.
After leaving Carey, he was for four years overseas freight clerk with the firm of McIlwraith, McEacharn.

In October, 1939, he enlisted in the C.M.F. as a despatch rider, and in August, 1941, transferred to the R.A.A.F., training at Somers, Parkes and Port Pirie.

He left Australia in January, 1943, as a Sergeant Air-Gunner and travelled to England via America. After taking part in bombing raids over Germany as a member of the crew of a Wellington Bomber*, he was promoted to Flight-Sergeant and was posted to North Africa.

He had only about four more operations to carry through before being sent home, when the bomber in which he was serving was posted missing in a severe night attack over Sicily. Nothing has been heard of the aircraft or of any of its crew**.
He was aged 24 years.

Source: Carey Chronicle - July, 1946
(First reported as ‘missing’ - March 1944)
Serving in Sicily at the same time as his brother, and also Ian Treloar, who was killed two days later.
* But not with 142 Squadron, as they had already gone to the Middle East.
** Commemorated as detailed opposite.