Harold Atkinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Harold was born in 1895 in Nottingham and was the only son of Harry a lace maker and Louise Atkinson née Gretton of "Rose Cottage," Kent Rd., Mapperley, Nottingham. His father was born in 1857 at Nottingham and his mother Louise was born in 1865 also in Nottingham, they were married in 1886 their marriage was recorded in the Nottingham Registration district, they had only two children , Grace b1890 and Harold b1895, both born in Nottingham. In the 1901 census the family are living at 3 Gamble Street, Nottingham. By the 1911 census the family are living at 2 Pym Street, St Anns, Nottingham and are shown as Harry 54 yrs a lace maker, head of the family he is living with his wife Louise 45 yrs and their 2 children , Grace, 21 yrs and Harold 16 yrs a printer.
Pte. Harold Atkinson, enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, he and his battalion on 7th October 1914 were mobilised for war and landed at Zeebrugge and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including; The First Battle of Ypres after which only 4 officers and 200 men remained of the Battalion, Harold was killed in action on 24th October 1914. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated .on the Menin Gate memorial Ypres.
Obituaries from the 'Nottingham Evening Post,' dated 24th October 1916: - ATKINSON. — In fond and loving memory of our dear son, Private Harold Atkinson, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, killed in action, October 24th, 1914, of 13, Flewitt-street (late 2, Pym-street). All is dark within our dwelling, lonely are our hearts to-day, for the one we loved so dearly has for ever passed away . — From his sorrowing mother and father. “ATKINSON. — In loving memory of Private Harold Atkinson, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, killed in action, October 24th, 1914. Sleep on, dear one, in a hero's grave, a grave I may never see; but as long as life and memory last I will remember thee. — From his sorrowing fiancée, Maggie. “ATKINSON. — In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Harold Atkinson, killed in action October 24th, 1914. Two years have passed, my heart still sore, as day by day I miss him more; his welcome smile, his dear sweet face, never on earth can be replaced. — From his sorrowing sister Grace.” [1] Above obituaries courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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