John Henry Atkins (1896 - 1916)

Born 31 Mar 1896 in Islington, Middlesex, England

Ancestors

Died 7 Oct 1916 at age 20 in Somme sector, France

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Biography

John was born 31 March 1896 in Islington, London, England and baptized 19 April 1896 at St Silas, Pentonville. His parents were William John and Sarah Ann (Bennett) Atkins. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

John was admitted to the Laystall Street School at the age of two. ^[2]

In 1901, the family was living at 8 Islington Green, Islington. John was five and had two brothers. His father was a labourer. ^[4]

In 1911, the family was living at 222 Quinn Buildings, Popham Street, Islington. There were seven children and his father was a scavenger for the borough council. At 15, John was working as a vanguard. ^[5]

John enlisted in the British Army 21 July 1915, serving as a private in the 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consorts Own). His regimental number was S/631. ^[6]

John was killed in action 7 October 1916 in France. His body was not recovered but he is listed at the Thiepval Memorial, among the 72,000 Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the Somme sector and have no identified grave. ^[7]

He was granted the Victory Medal and the British War Medal posthumously. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "Birth Index," General Register Office, ATKINS, JOHN HENRY, mother's maiden name: BENNETT, 1896 J Quarter in ISLINGTON, Volume 01B, Page 289.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Ancestry.com. "London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911," [database on-line], citing London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; School Admission and Discharge Registers; Reference: LCC/EO/DIV03/LAS/AD/005. Share Link.
3. ↑ Baptism: Ancestry.com. "London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1920," [database on-line], citing London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P76/SIL/009. Share Link. John Henry Atkins, baptized 19 Apr 1896, born 31 Mar 1896, Parents: William John and Sarah Atkins, Residence: 6 Parkfield Street, Father's Occupation: Labourer.
4. ↑ Ancestry.com. "1901 England Census," [database on-line], citing Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives, 1901, Class: RG13; Piece: 193; Folio: 31; Page: 3. Share Link.
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. "1911 England Census," [database on-line], citing Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA) Series RG14, 1911. Share Link.
6. ↑ Ancestry.com. UK, British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 [database on-line], citing Army Medal Office (In the Care of the Western Front Association Website); London, England; Wwi Medal Index Cards. Share Link.
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12373444/john-henry-atkins : accessed 9 March 2022), memorial page for Rifleman John Henry Atkins (1896–7 Oct 1916), Find A Grave: Memorial #12373444, citing Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France; maintained by IWPP Custodial Account (contributor 48586138) .
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. "UK, World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920," [database on-line], citing The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War. WO329; Ref: 1718. Share Link.