William Watson Atkinson

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

21316

Unit at enlistment:

Durham Light Infantry, 18th Battalion

Force:

B.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

July 3rd, 1916

Cemetery:

Bertrancourt Military Cemetery - Somme, France - Plot 1. Row E. Grave 22.

Commemorated at:

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Durham

Birth city:

Hartlepool

Address at enlistment:

18 House Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

18 House Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of service: Killed

Circumstances of Casualty: Died from wounds in action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: 94th Field Ambulance (France or Belgium).

BX July 12, 1916

Private William Watson Atkinson Paid High Price – Letter Saying He Was Well Just Preceded Notice of His Death

Fifteen months ago William Watson Atkinson, of 18 House Avenue, went over to England to work in a munitions factory. Six weeks ago he went into the trenches in France. Today he is dead, having made the supreme sacrifice of duty.

His mother Mrs. Isabel Atkinson, received word late last evening that her son, Private Atkinson had died from his wounds on July 3. Early this morning a card was received from her son dated June 27, in which he stated he was quite well.

In April, 1915 he went over to England to work in a munitions factory at Hartlepool. When Lord Derby’s registration scheme went into effect he was one of those drafted, and after months of training he went over to the trenches six weeks ago with the 18th Durham Light Infantry.

Not a word to the effect that he had been wounded was received by his mother. Yesterday came a letter stating that he was well then in the evening the telegram telling of his death, and this morning a card written prior to his death. It is felt by his relatives that he did not suffer long from his wounds, as according to the card he was quite well on June 29 and he was dead on July 3.

Before going over to England, Mr. Atkinson was employed at the Massey-Harris factory. He was prominently connected with the Sons of England Football team in the days of peace. He was unmarried.

Four sisters and one brother survive Private Atkinson and share in the glory of his death in the defence of his King and Country. They are Poppy, Bella, Fred and Jack, at home and Mrs. H. Bumstead, of 113 William St.