Frederic Thomas Atkinson was born in Crewkerne, Somerset, the sixth of the nine children of William Joseph Atkinson (1859-1903) and Selina Atkinson née Lowman (1860-1911). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1892 in the Chard registration district, Somerset.
In the 1901 census he was shown as Thomas Atkinson living at 42 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, with his parents and his eight siblings: Agnes Emily Atkinson (1883-1951), Joseph Percival Atkinson (1885-1944), William Reginald Atkinson (1886-1963), George Ernest Atkinson (1888-1939), Albert Edward Atkinson (1890-1979), Leonard James Atkinson (1893-1981), Leonora Jane Atkinson (1893-1984) and Ethel Winifred Atkinson (1896-1965). His father was described as printer & stationer.
When the 1911 census was completed by his widowed sister, Agnes Emily Bailey, he was shown as Frederick Thomas Atkinson, a stockbroker's clerk, still living in the nine roomed property at 42 High Street, Shaftesbury, together with six of his other siblings: Joseph, a 2nd division civil service clerk; George, a grocers clerk; Albert, a stationer's assistant; Leonard, a grocer's clerk; Leonora, a housekeeper; Ethel, who was aged 14 years, his nephew Jack Percival Bailey (1909-1961) and his niece Ivy Irene Bailey (1909-2008). His sister Agnes described herself as a stationer & printer.
He joined the Rifle Brigade, service number Z/2711 and entered France on 26 January 1915. He died of wounds, aged 22 years, on 3 July 1915 in the Lewisham Military Hospital and was buried on 7 July 1915 in Plot D, Grave 3196 of the Lewisham (Ladywell) Cemetery. As he has no individual gravestone, he is commemorated there on the Screen Wall as Frederic T. Atkinson with a personal inscription that reads "In thy presence is fulness of joy". He is also commemorated, as Frederick Thomas Atkinson, in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website that shows him as being attached to the 5th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. On 5 December 1915 his army effects totalling £8-0s-1d were sent to his brother, Joseph, who was also sent his £3-0s-0d war gratuity on 24 July 1919. The Army Register of Soldiers Effects refers to him as Frederick Thomas Atkinson of the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade.
Both his Death Registration record and his Probate record describe him as Frederic Thomas Atkinson of 102 Nimrod Road, Streatham, a private in the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, who died, aged 22 years, on 3 July 1915 at Lewisham Military Hospital on active service. Administration was granted on 7 December 1915 to his brother, Joseph, a civil servant and his effects totalled £118-18s-6d. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
A résumé can also be found on the Gold Hill Museum, Shaftesbury, website that refers to him as Frederick Thomas Atkinson and also shows the various memorials on which his name can be found. He is also mentioned on the Lewisham War Memorial website that confirms he also commemorated on the Lewisham Military Hospital War Memorial as F. Atkinson.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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