Christopher Ernest Atherley
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Christopher Ernest Atherley was born on 28 May 1895, the son of Christopher and Mary Ann Atherley of 86 Front Street, Arnold, Nottingham (address CWGC). Christopher Ernest was admitted to the Nottingham High School on 11th September 1906. At this time his father is shown as living at 143 Gedling Road, Arnold, and his occupation is that of timekeeper at the local colliery. Christopher Ernest left the High School in July 1909. By the time of the 1911 census the family is living on Nelson Road, Daybrook. Christopher Ernest is 16 years of age and a pupil teacher; he has two younger brothers, Samuel Walter (11) and John Harold (8). After leaving the Nottingham High School Christopher trained as a teacher at the Hucknall Pupil Teachers’ Centre. He was a pupil teacher at Hucknall Torkard, Beardall Street Council School Boys' Department (9 August 1910 – July 1912), and later an assistant in the Chilwell Council Schools. He then entered University College Nottingham to study for a BSc.Christopher's parents were living at 4 Burford Street, Nottingham, at the time of the death of his father in 1935.
He enlisted in the first months of the war and was commissioned into the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in October 1914 and was promoted to Lieutenant in December. He landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula of Turkey on 3rd June 1915. Later he was sent as a reinforcement to the 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, on attachment. He was killed within two weeks of the attachment. The war diary of the Royal Dubliners recorded that at 2am on the night of 16th June 1915 the Turks attacked one of their posts, driving them back 20 yards. Atherley was part of a counter attack when he was mortally wounded. Twelve men were killed, in addition to Atherley, four were reported missing and 31were wounded. He is buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.For his bravery Atherley was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette, 5th November 1915). It was recorded in the war diary that “It was entirely owing to the great coolness and gallantry shown by these two officers [Atherley and a Lieutenant Prendergast of 1st Royal Munsters] and NCO in advancing up the trench and bombing the Turks out, that eventually enabled us to turn machine gun and trench howitzer fire on the Turks and so caused them heavy losses.”.
Personal dedication on CWGC headstone: 'He died for home and country' Extract from Nottinghamshire County Council, Education Committee Elementary, minutes of meeting 27 July 1915: 'The Committee have also heard with much regret of the death of ... and of Lieutenant C E Atherley, attached to the Dublin Fusiliers, formerly a pupil teacher at Hucknall Torkard, and an Assistant in the Chilwell Council Schools who has been killed in the Dardanelles.'Hucknall Torkard Beardall Street Council School Boys Department, entry at front of Log [teacher details]: 'Ernest Atherley commenced duty 9 August 1910 – July 1912. Killed in the Great War – June 1915 – The Dardanelles.' (Nottinghamshire Archives ref. SL91 1/2)Probate. 'Atherley Christopher Ernest of 86 Front-street Arnold Nottinghamshire a lieutenant in His Majesty’s Army died 17 June 1915 at Gallipoli Administration (with will) Nottingham 10 August to Mary Ann Atherley (wife of Christopher Atherley) [mother]. Effects £14 10s 8d.'There is a photograph of Christopher on the website: www.goinwith.com/slideshows.Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 26 June 1915: Atherley. Died of wounds, date not reported, Lieut. CE Atherly, 11th Battalion KOYLI, attached 1st Dublin Fusiliers, aged 21 years, dearly-beloved son of C and MA Atherly, 86, Front-street, Arnold. For his country.’.(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Article published on 9th July 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “ARNOLD LIEUT.'S “GALLANT BEHAVIOUR” “TRIBUTES TO THE LATE LIEUT. ATHERLEY. “Further particulars are forthcoming concerning the late Lieut. C. E. Atherley, of the 11th Batt. K.O.Y.L.I., whose death from wounds was announced last month. Lieut. Atherley, who belonged to Arnold, was formerly associated with the Nottingham University College Officers’ Training Corps. “Lieut. Sellars, a fellow officer, in a letter to Lieut. Atherley’s parents, writes: “No doubt the O.C. will inform you that he had recommended him to the general for the work he did. He was holding a trench with about 100 men when the Turks, 500 of them, attacked. He stuck there with a few men until he was forced to retire to our main line. On reaching this he, with more men, drove them back, and recaptured the trench. It was here that he was shot. Our machine guns wiped all of them out, against our 37 killed and wounded.” “Major C. B. J. Riccard, 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers, in a letter to Mr. Atherley, says: “I cannot speak too highly of his gallant behaviour during the action. I have had the pleasure of bringing his services to the notice of the general commanding the brigade. I myself, and all ranks, deeply regret his loss.”Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
