ATKIN[S], William


No.1974, Private, William ATKIN
Aged 32


1st East Anglian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
Died of his Wounds on Friday, 18th June 1915


William Atkin was born in 1882 in Bardwell (Thingoe Q4-1882 4A:610), son of George and Hannah ATKINS (née SPALL).

1891 census...Aged 8, he was at Quakers Lane, Bardwell with his father George ATKINS [36] farm labourer;his mother Hannah [40] born Debenham; brother Ernest [11] working for bricklayer; sister Elizabeth [9], Annie [7] and Hilda [6]. All except his mother were born in Bardwell.

1901 census...Aged 18, farm labourer, he was at Hill Cottage, Bardwell with his widowed mother Hannah ATKINS [49] born Debenham; his sisters Elizabeth [19], Annie [17] and Hilda [15]; brothers Arthur [9] and Albert [6]. All the children were born in Bardwell. His father died in 1900.

1911 census...Aged 28, a horse man,16, he was at Bardwell Green with his mother and brothers Arthur (bricklayer's labourer) and Albert (house painter). All 8 siblings survive. CWGC have mother's address as Guildhall, Bardwell, as does the pension card.

He married Daisy Esther FODDER (Thetford Q4-1912 4B:1033) . Their son William G was born in 1915.

His younger brother Albert died in France in May 1917. see here




He enlisted in Ipswich. From the comments below, he must have been taken from Gallipoli to a base hospital in Egypt,where he subsequently died.

Accompanying the photo of the four Atkins brothers below in the Bury Free Press of 29th September 1917 was the caption
FOUR PATRIOTIC BARDWELL BROTHERS

Our picture represents the four stalwart soldier sons of Mrs. Atkins, of the Guildhall, Bardwell, all of whom are, or have been, serving their country in its hour of dire need. Unfortunately two of the gallant quartette have made the great sacrifice fr their country's cause of freedom and justice.
Prvt Ernest Atkins, of the Norfolk Regiment is at present serving in France. Previous to being called up he was employed as a bricklayer by Mr.Middleditch.
Prvt William Atkins was attached to the East Anglian Division of the R.A.M.C. We regret to say that he died from wounds received whilst engaged in removing the wounded from the fighting line during operations in Gallipoli on June 4th 1915. Before donning khaki, Mr Ranson, of the Water Mill claimed his services.
Sapper Arthur Atkins of the Royal Engineers is now serving with the Salonica army. Previous to joining up he was employed at Potton, Bedfordshire
Prvt Albert Atkins was a machine gunner in the Suffolks. He died from wounds received in action in France on May 11th 1917. He was employed as a painter by Mr.Middleditch until called up for service.
Mrs. Atkins has also a son-in-law (Prvt J.Norman) who has been a prisoner of war in Germany since the early days of the war. Truthfully it may be said that this family has answered the call nobly and borne its share of the sacrifices which war always entail. To Mrs Atkins we extend our sympathy in the loss of her two gallant sons.





photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



William Atkins is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, grave M:68

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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