Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Edgar Atkinson 24 was an ex-pupil of both Auburn North and Auburn Public Schools. He was a storekeeper with the family produce, coal and coke business on the corner of Station Road and Hall Street, Auburn. See The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 31 December, 1917, page 6.
Corporal Edgar Atkinson enlisted on 11 March 1916 and embarked on the Anchises on 24 August 1916. During training on the Salisbury Plain, Atkinson was stricken with appendicitis. He took a long time to recover so he did not cross to France and march into the 45th Battalion until 11 August 1917, a year and five months after enlistment. He was Killed in Action two months later on 13 October 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium.
In correspondence with Base Records the family had, by mistake, requested a Star of David for the headstone of their Baptist son and now requested a change to the Christian cross. The request was immaterial as Atkinson’s body was never found. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate in the Belgian town of Ieper (Ypres).
On the Ypres front near Zonecheke [Zonnebeke] we were going up to dig a sap with the 47th when 2/Lt Morton of A. Coy came and told us that Atkinson had been killed by a shell. He had his legs and arms blown off and died instantly. We were relieved the same night. Red Cross witness statement written six months after the event from the Canadian General Hospital at Étaples.
Edgar Atkinson is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Auburn Boys Public School Great War Photographic Honour Roll
- Auburn North Public School Honour Roll
- Auburn Public School First World War Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
