WILLIAM HENRY ATKINS
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 1885, Wetheringsett cum Brockford, Suffolk.
Baptised on the 4th October 1885, at All Saints’ Church, Wetheringsett cum Brockford – family home in Wetheringsett cum Brockford.
Died: 2nd April 1917; age 31; died of Generalised Tuberculosis and Toxaemia, at the 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
Informant: J.E. Dickerson, of the 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln.
Residence: Ipswich.
Occupation: Engineer’s Clerk for Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Orwell Works, Ipswich. He entered the service as a lad of 15 years in 1900.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich; date: December 1915.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 265455
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd/6th Battalion, Signal Section.
Formerly 2475, Suffolk Cyclist.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, 7th April, at 3 p.m., at All Saints Church, and was conducted by the Reverend Frederick Robert Smith.
Grave Reference:
North of the main path,
All Saints Churchyard Extension,
Wetheringsett cum Brockford,
Suffolk.
Relatives Notified & Address: Youngest son of William & Susanna Atkins, of The Red House, Wetheringsett cum Brockford, Suffolk.
CENSUS
1891 Blacksmith Corner, Wetheringsett cum Brockford, Suffolk.
William was 5 years old and living with his parents & brother.
William Atkins, 36, a Wheelwright & Blacksmith, born Westhorpe, Suffolk.
Susanna Atkins (nee Crowe), 35, born Wetheringsett cum Brockford.
Francis John Atkins, 8, born Wetheringsett cum Brockford.
1901 5, Priory Place, Friars Street, Ipswich.
William was 15 years old, an Engineer Clerk. He and his brother, Francis, were lodging at the boarding house of Phoebe & Elizabeth Curtis.
1911 5, Priory Place, Friars Street, Ipswich.
William was 25 years old, a Clerk to Agricultural Engineers. He and his brother, Francis, were lodging at the boarding house of Elizabeth Curtis.
William was a member of the Orwell Works Athletic Club, taking a keen interest in tennis, of which section he was captain.
Probate to William Atkins – father, a farmer.
Soldiers’ Effects to William Atkins – father.
William is also remembered on the Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Orwell Works war memorial. Now sited at The Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk, and at the village of Wetheringsett cum Brockford, and All Saints’ Church, Wetheringsett cum Brockford, Suffolk.
E.A.D.T. – Monday, 9th April 1917 – FUNERAL OF A SOLDIER AT WETHERINGSETT – The funeral of Private William Henry Atkins, of the Signal Section, Suffolk Cyclists, whose death occurred on the 2nd April, at the Military Hospital, Lincoln, took place at Wetheringsett on Saturday, 7th April. Private William Atkins was the younger son of Mr. William Atkins, of Red House, and previous to joining the Army was in the office of Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, and Jefferies, at the Orwell Works, Ipswich. He entered their service as a lad seventeen years ago; when he left at the call of his country in December 1915, he had won the highest respect and confidence of the directors and staff, who hoped that at the end of the war he would return and take up the responsible position he had previously held. The Commanding Officer of his section writes: “He was one of the best men who ever worked with me; he was always hard-working and entirely reliable.” William’s Colonel also writes: “He was a good soldier, and set an excellent example to the younger men who served with him.” When at Ipswich, William Atkins was a member of the Orwell Works Athletic Club, taking a keen interest in tennis, of which section he was captain.
There was a very large congregation to express sympathy with the family, which is held in high esteem. The cortege was met by the Rector, the Reverend Frederick Robert Smith and the choir of which William Atkins was a member in former years, and as the procession entered the church, the organist, Mr. Robin Fuller Howe, played “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” and the “Dead March” in “Saul” on leaving. The hymns, “My God, my Father, while I stray,” and “On the Resurrection Morning,” were sung, and Psalm xxxix was chanted. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and the breastplate was inscribed “William Henry Atkins, died April 2nd, 1917, aged 31 years.” At the conclusion of the service, nine buglers from the Kerrison School, under Bandmaster Alfred Edward Henry Tuppen, sounded “The Last Post.” The flowers were exceptionally beautiful. Messrs. F. W. Canham and Sons, of Ipswich, supplied the carriages.
THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT 2/6th (Cyclist) Battalion Territorial Force:
Leave a Reply