Sergeant Arthur Atkin
S4/146190 Army Service Corps, 28th. Lines of Communication Company
Arthur Atkin was born in 1889 the son of Henry Atkin, a railway signalman from Loughborough and Fanny Atkin (nee Auckland). Henry and Fanny moved to Old Westwood around 1880/1881. Arthur’s elder brother, Alfred was their first child to be born at Westwood about 1881. They had two elder children at that time, Harry born 1877 in Grantham, Lincs and Edith Ethel born Somercotes, Derbyshire. Sometime after 1911, the family moved to the ‘School House’ Westwood.
- Henry & Fanny Atkin of Westwood, parents of Arthur
Arthur was one of eight children. Harry born 1877, Edith Ethel born 1879 (m. Tomlinson), Charles born 1880, Alfred born 1881, Helen born 1883 (m. Bartlett), Amy born 1886 (m.Smith), Arthur b. 1889, Jesse b. 1892 and Bertha b. 1898. His brothers Jesse Marson Atkin and Charles Atkin gave their lives during WW1 and are listed as casualties on the Jacksdale War Memorial.
By 1911, Arthur had left the family home at Westwood and was boarding at 39, Cromwell Street, Nottingham, occupation given as ‘Police Constable’. On 1st November 1915 he volunteered for service, attesting at Nottingham into the ASC. His army trade is given as ‘butcher’ and he was posted to Aldershot for training just five days later with a rank of Acting Sergeant with pay. He worked in Supply with the ‘Butchery Squad’. The army obtained a reference from Arthur’s previous employer, Mr Bosworth, a retired butcher from West Bridgford, Nottingham. Mr Bosworth described Arthur as having an honest and sober disposition, painstakingly reliable and capable of carrying out the duties of his trade. The reference also explains that Arthur left Mr Bosworth’s employ, for a period of 18 months to join the Nottingham City Police, but then later returned. The reference also specifically asked if Arthur could slaughter Bullocks, to which Mr Bosworth replied ‘yes’.
On New Year’s Day, 1916, Arthur disembarked at Le Havre, proceeding to Brindisi, Italy and then onto the British Mission at Valona. On 21st March 1916 he was posted to the Royal Serbian Army and in April to Corfu and in June to M.S.O. Salonika. On 26th Nov 1916 he joined 28th Lines of Communication Company. In August 1917 he was promoted to full Sergeant. Arthur served until early 1919 when he was demobilised with a gratuity of £21. His army reference described him as reliable and intelligent, very careful in the execution of his duties, having always given satisfaction. He had command, control and tact in the handling of his men. Arthur was discharged to 79, Henrietta Street, Bulwell, Nottingham, his health at the time being described as ‘A1’, with no injuries,wounds or ill health.
Arthur does NOT appear on the Jacksdale War Memorial as having served, but does appear on the ‘Absent Voters Register 1918/19’ as being absent from New Westwood. The register gives his service details as S4/146190 Sgt 28th ASC. His Medal Rolls Index Card indicates that he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.