Frederick James Edward Richard Atkinson (1892 - 1918)

Born 23 Mar 1892 in Snowtown, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Died 26 Aug 1918 at age 26 in Cappy, France

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Biography

Frederick James Edward Richard Atkinson born 1892. Son of Charles Atkinson and Emma Bidgood

"...6955 Private Frederick James Edward Richard Atkinson, 10th Battalion. A farmer from Snowtown, SA, Pte Atkinson served in the Volunteer Rifleman Koppto Club, West Coast, before enlisting in the AIF on 26 October 1916. He embarked with the 23rd reinforcements, 10th Battalion, on 16 December 1916 aboard HMAT Berrima (A35). On 6 August 1917 Pte Atkinson was appointed the rank of Lance Corporal (L Cpl). In July 1917 L Cpl Atkinson's brother, 1878 Pte Ernest Albert Atkinson, transferred to the 10th Battalion. The brothers served briefly together before Ernest was killed by a shell on 18 April 1918. L Cpl Atkinson was with his brother at the time and later oversaw his burial at the Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France. On 26 August 1918, L Cpl Atkinson was killed in action by a shell explosion at Cappy, France. Although attempts were made by members of his Company to recover his body, he was never found. His name is recorded on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

Service Number: 6955

Enlisted: 1 October 1916, Adelaide, South Australia

Last Rank: Lance Corporal

Last Unit: 10th Infantry Battalion

Home Town: Cummins, Lower Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Schooling: Barunga & Snowtown Public Schools

Occupation: Farmer

Killed in Action, Cappy, France, 26 August 1918, aged 26 years

Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God", Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France

ATKINSON.—Killed in action, somewhere in France, August 26, 6955, 10th Battalion, Frederick James E. R., second darling son of C. and E. Atkinson, Payneham, late West Coast. So dearly loved so sadly missed.

He was standing on a troopship,

As he waved his last farewell;

He did his share of fighting,

And like a noble hero fell

We remember the day we parted,

We remember our last good-bye;

But little we thought when he left us

That he was going away to die. ^[1]

ATKINSON.—In affectionate memory of Lance- Corporal F. J. E. R., the dearly loved brother of the late Private E. A. Atkinson, killed in action August 25th, 1918, both in B Company, 10th Battalion.

How we miss their loving footsteps

As around the home they roamed.

As we loved, so we miss them;

They were the sunshine of our home,

To dearly loved to be forgotten. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922) Mon 23 Sep 1918
2. ↑ The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Mon 25 Aug 1919

• https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3039195

• https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/337403

• South Australia BDM - Birth Reg #586/28