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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 515

Three: Captain J. R. Atkinson, 15th (Leeds Pals) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, an ‘Old Ellesmerian’ and graduate of Leeds University, Officer Training Corps who answered Lord Kitcher's call and joined the 'Leeds Pals' in September 1914 commanded a Company in Egypt and France

1914-15 Star (Capy. J. R. Atkinson. W. York. R.), British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. R. Atkinson.), mounted as worn, contact wear overall, nearly very fine (3)

John Roland Atkinson was born at Horsforth, Yorkshire on 27 November 1888, the son of Francis and Edith Atkinson. Educated at Ellesmere College and later Leeds University and during his education he joined the Officer’s Training Corps. He later lived at Oakfields Calverley, Leeds and worked with the Atkinson Bros at Rodley, Leeds. With the outbreak of the Great War Atkinson was Commissioned Lieutenant on 25 September with the 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, the ‘Leeds Pals’, who were raised in August and September 1914.

Trained at Masham, Yorkshire Atkinson became involved in the daily life of the Battalion, being shown as the honorary secretary of the Battalion Sports Programme on 12 May 1915. Entering the war in Egypt on 22 December 1915 with Atkinson as Second in command of ‘C’ Company, 15th Battalion. In Egypt they formed part of the Suez Canal defences with ‘C’ Company at El Kab, 20 miles south of Port Said where they worked on improving the defences.

Re-embarking again on 1 March 1915 the Battalion was transferred to France arriving at the front on 29 March. Atkinson did not last long in the trenches however, falling ill he left the Battalion in April and in June was posted back to Britain. Serving with the 88th Training Reserve Battalion by September 1916 and remained in Britain until 11 April 1918 when he was demobilised at Ripon; sold together with an M.I.C., typed research and copied service records.


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Sold for
£200

Starting price
£70