212807 2nd Cpl. John Charles Atkins British Army 5th Divisional Signals Company Royal Engineers from:London A Londoner, my grandfather, John Charles Atkins joined the South Lancashire Regiment in 1906, transferring to the Royal Engineers in 1913. He was a member of 5th Divisional Signals Company, and went to France with the Division in August 1914 - part of the famous "Contemptible Little Army" of the BEF.
After the retreat from Mons, he took part in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26th August where he was taken prisoner in the fierce fighting which stemmed the German advance. His only mention of the btn.'s later years was to say he was captured by Uhlans, the German lancers. Two of his younger brothers, William and Herbert, were killed in May 1915; his youngest brother Percy joined the Royal Engineers and survived the war.
John also survived the war but was a POW until repatriation in 1918, when he returned to the Royal Engineers and later the Royal Corps of Signals. At the end of his period of service in 1927 he settled in Brighton, Sussex, having reached the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant. In 1939 he was recalled to the colours to train mobilised troops for the Second World war, being discharged on completion of this role in 1940 as a Company Sergeant Major. Three of his sons fought in this war, one in each of the Services.
|