ATKINSON, Charles Blakeley
| Service Number: | 2568 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Clare, South Australia, 20 July 1889 |
| Home Town: | Mylor, Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Mount Burr, South Australia, 9 January 1950, aged 60 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Kendrew Oval |
| Memorials: | Cowell Men from Franklin Harbour WW1 Roll of Honour, Mylor District Roll of Honor 1914-18, Mylor District Roll of Honour, Mylor St. John Anglican Church Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2568, 32nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 2568, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Shropshire embarkation_ship_number: A9 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 2568, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Shropshire, Adelaide |
Military Medal
During the night attack on 28/29th July astride the Bray-Corbie Road, Pte. Atkinson while doing Stretcher Bearing displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty.
Pt. Atkinson moved around his Company throughout the operation, careless of his own personal danger and did wonders towards cheering and bandaging wounded men and carrying them to the rear.
When no assistance was available Pte. Atkinson himself carried Corporal Lannigan a distance of 600 to 700 yards to the Stretcher Bearer relay post though a very heavy barrage, and throughout displayed marked courage and perseverance in the carrying out of his duties.
The example set by Pte. Atkinson to all ranks was very fine and was a source of great inspiration and deserving of the highest praise.
Submitted 2 February 2016 by Daryl Jones
Biography contributed by Heathfield High School
Charles Blakeley Atkinson was born on the 20th of July 1889 in Clare, South Australia the son of James William and Annie.
Charles enlisted on the 14th of January 1916. His father James William Atkinson was his nominated next of kin and his papers described him as 5ft 6 male, with brown eyes, and brown hair.
He was given the rank of Private on enlistment to the 32nd Battalion along with his brother Robert David Atkinson. They were sent to Mitcham Military training camp to learn some basic skills. They both embarked on the 25th of March 1916. They embarked from Adelaide onto the HMAT A9 Shropshire and arrived in Egypt. He proceeded to join the 32nd Battalion in France 2 August 1916
On the 8th of September 1916 Charles Blakeley was taken to hospital because he came down with Malaria. Private Atkinson was shipped out to England for proper care and rest. Atkinson was taken to England by H.S Saint David, the hospital ship. A month later (16th of October 1916) Private Atkinson was granted furlough to take extra time to recover and be able to fight on the battlefield. Charles marched in from his leave on the 31st of October.
Four days after the end of Private Atkinson’s leave, he was transferred to an Australian details camp. He retrained with his new unit to get back into the war. Charles trained there for almost five months before travelling to France with his new unit, the 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery. There the unit fought on the Western Front.
On the 3rd of May 1917, Private Atkinson received a sharpnel wound to the jaw while preforming duties. He boarded a ship two days later that took him to the Oxford Hospital in England, where he rested for 20 days to recover, luckily the wound was mild. After 20 days (on the 25th of May), Charles was discharged from hospital. He was granted two weeks furlough and report to Perham Downs 9th June 1917. He proceeded overseas to France 16th July 1917 and marched out to his unit. He became ill with influenza 8th of November 1917. He was again sent to England for proper treatment.
In 1918, Private Atkinson worked as a company stretcher bearer. Stretcher bearers provided first-aid and carried injured soldiers in from the field. He showed great courage when helping people out even in heavy machine gun fire. It was a tough job, because the men were out in heavy machine gun fire while tending to some traumatic injuries. He carried men into safe territory and was respected by many, this was shown when he won a military medal for these acts of courage.
Finally, after 3 years, Private Atkinson returned home on the 22nd of May 1919. He was discharged on the 1st of September. He went back to being a farmer after moving to Mylor, SA. He met Ann, and he married her in 1921. They had 3 children together in 1921, 1922, and 1925. His son James served in WW2. In 1950 Charles peacefully passed away, at 60 years old.
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