Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold was born in Adelaide on the 29th August 1907. As a young man he was close to the Hembury family of several boys who were quite ‘street-wise’, and well able to make the most of situations but at times fronted the local courts for a variety of misdemeanours and faced quite harsh penalties. (For shoplifting, in 1910 15 ½ year old Clarence was told there was no 'place other than the Yatala Labour Prison or the Adelaide Gaol’ for him as a recidivist. This caused some uproar as the Boys' Reformatory at Magill’ was considered a more enlightened place for him to receive ‘industrial training’.)
Harold lived at New Queenstown and had previously worked for an Orange Grove farmer, who described Harold as a ‘good worker’. Needing feed for his animals but at the time being unemployed, Harold offered to pay 9/8 for chaff he had already collected. The farmer suggested Harold could have a few sheafs of hay, but without the means to transport it, Harold suggested he would collect it later. In what could have been an unfortunate misunderstanding, being some distance from the hay at the time, Harold later returned to collect the feed in his 30-year-old friend Clarence’s dray as Harold’s buggy and pony were not fit for the journey. (Clarence had two horses, better suited for hauling.) The two returned to the farm and took over 60 sheafs, Harold keeping 18 and Clarence 45 to their respective homes. Unfortunately, both 20-year-old Harold and Clarence were found guilty in ‘29, and ordered to pay £5 7/6 each, in default 14 days' imprisonment.
The following year Harold worked as an assistant to a horse racer who was caught leading his horse from the saddling enclosure at a Cloncurry Turf Meeting. In doing so the owner was observed injecting his horse’s shoulder. This was witnessed by a course steward with the owner charged with alleged improper practices The owner, Harold and the horse were disqualified for life.
Following this incident, Harold found work as a farm labourer and was highly respected for his work ethic. However, with the outbreak of WWII, 32-year-old Harold, living in Modbury, enlisted in Adelaide on the 29th June 1940 He was allocated the number SX7243 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He initially nominated Raymond Hembury, from Modbury (a friend and younger brother to Clarence) as his next of kin. However, soon after, he and Nancy (Annie) Julia Hart from Torrensville, announced their engagement on the 5th October, ’40. Advertiser Saturday 5 October 1940, HART — ATKINSON. — The engagement is announced of Nancy Julia, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Hart, Stephens avenue, Torrensville. to Harold Atkinson. 2nd 48th. A.I.F. late of Modbury. Within a month and during his pre-embarkation leave the two married on the 2nd November in the St James Church, Mile End.
Less than a week later, Harry was aboard the Stratheden, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. A year later, to give encouragement to those remaining at home, as well as to the troops, the Australian Broadcasting Commission coordinated Christmas greetings for families to hear the voices of their A.I.F. overseas soldiers aired in the lead-up to Christmas ‘41. Cpl Harold Atkinson, Torrensville AIF was to be heard on Disc 525.
Whilst serving, Harold was promoted to several acting ranks before becoming a Corporal. History now recounts the extremely challenging conditions under which the soldiers lived and fought. Harry and his mates earned the proudly claimed title of being a Rat of Tobruk. This was initially designed by the Germans as a derogatory term to sap the morale of the Australian troops who were living in sandy dugouts like rats. In typical Aussie style, the men proudly adopted the term as a badge of honour and camaraderie.
Over this time, Harry became qualified in a Cooks’ course in November ’42 before finally earning a return home via Melbourne in Feb ’43. His battalion then moved to Queensland to train in the tropical conditions they were expected to face in New Guinea. Because of his health, Harry was eventually discharged on the 22nd April ’44.
In November ’78 the Troubridge completed her final voyage after seventeen years, calling in at Port Lincoln, thus closing an era of coastal trade and introducing a new one in the form of wheeled cargo. Many of the crew had served on the vessel the entire time and others, including the cook, Harry Atkinson, had also spent many years on board.
Aged 81 Harry died on the 4th April ’89. His ashes were buried in a rose bed at Centennial Park, East 33 Plot 40. A plaque commemorating his service is also on the Wall of Remembrance. Annie Julia was buried with him following her death on the 20th October, ’96, aged 79
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.