208255 Pte. Harold Victor Atkinson MM.British Army 15th Battalion, C Company Lancashire Fusiliers from:Burnley, Lancashire My Great Uncle Harold Atkinson fought in WW1 with the Lancashire Fusiliers. My grandfather, a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, said that Harold had been a despatch rider. He enlisted in Burnley, Lancashire and initially was in the East Lancs Regt (23517) but eventually became 35736 in C Company of the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers.
During The 3rd Battle of Ypres 1-3rd December 1917 he is cited in the book 'The Lancashire Fusiliers' on page 277 as, "Much individual good work had contributed to the battalion's achievement. The Military Medal was awarded to 2 runners, Privates H. V. Atkinson & G. Beardsall, for gallantry in carrying messages throughout operations." The Burnley Express says he did this "under heavy shell fire, work for which he volunteered to do." The award of his Military Medal was also reported in the London Gazette, Issue number: 30573 Page:322, 13th March 1918.
He died not long after winning his medal on 25th December 1917 - having been killed instantly as reported by his friend Pte, W Smith - the day before he should have had the ribbon of the Military Medal pinned to his chest. He wrote to his parents the day of his death to inform them he had won the Military Medal, having found out about his award on the 23rd.
In a report in the Burnley Express, Captain Kenneth Leeming said "Pte. Atkinson was his own messenger and he had learned to love him like a brother as he was always so cheery. He was thankful that Pte. Atkinson lived to know he had won the Military Medal, which he thoroughly deserved".
He is buried in Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Belgium and is also commemorated on St. Cuthberts Memorial, Burnley, Lancashire. He is also said to be commemorated in Droylsden Cemetery, UK
His elder brothers Roy Atkinson (781701) Royal Field Artillery and Herbert Atkinson (6806) 18th Hussars also served but survived.
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