Frederick Thomas Atkinson

Story:
Frederick Thomas Atkinson was born in 1892 in Crewkerne, Somerset. He was the son of William Joseph Atkinson, a printer & stationer, and Selina Atkinson (née Lowman).  By 1897 the family had moved to 42 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father set up business as a Printer and Stationer. His father died on 12th July, 1903 and probate was granted to his widow, Selina, on 27th November,1903. "Tommy" attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1903 until August 1907. On 26th March 1911, just short of the 1911 Census, Frederick's mother also died. At the time of the Census he was single, living at 42 High Street, Shaftesbury, with his sister Agnes Bailey, herself a widow at 28 years of age, along with four other brothers, two sisters and two nephews.  At the time he was working as a stockbroker's clerk.   By the time war broke out he was living in Streatham, London, working with a firm of solicitors. He enlisted as a Private on 9th September, 1914, in the East Surrey Regiment but almost immediately he transferred to the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) as a Rifleman (Service No. Z/2711).   He was eventually posted abroad on 27th Jan 1915 to France & Flanders.   In the June 1915 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine it was reported that he had been "severely wounded in the fighting around Ypres (on 1 May 1915). He was repatriated to England and it was found necessary to amputate his left leg." He was reported later on his service records in fact to have been wounded in both legs and was being treated in Lewisham Military Hospital, Lewisham, Kent, and died there of his wounds on 3rd July 1915 and was buried at Ladywell Cemetery, Brockley, Kent, on 7 Jul 1915  His name appears on the cemetery memorial Screen Wall D and his grave ref. is 3196. His older brother Joseph was given as next-of-kin and became his executor as well as receiving his financial effects. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the war memorial at Shaftesbury School. A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Tommy served and the date and term in which he left school. His name was also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Tommy's name, indicating that he had died. He was the first Old Shastonian to die in the war. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum. Frederick's brother, Albert Edward Atkinson, also served in the conflict and survived. Printed Source: Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1915 Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915 First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915