Name
Alfred James Atkins
14 Feb 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/02/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43009
Northamptonshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT
VI. A. 27.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Frogmore, St Stephen Parish Obelisk, Park Street, Not on the St Albans memorials
Pre War
Alfred James was born on 14 Feb 1896 (baptised 24 May 1896 at Holy Trinity, Frogmore) to William James Atkins, a labourer, and Mary Ann (nee Linney).
On the 1901 Census the Family of Parents, John (born 1882, a gravel digger), George (born 1885, an agricultural labourer), Ethel (born 1888), Alfred, Herbert C (born 1898) and Doris V (born 1901) were living at Park Street, Frogmore, St Albans. On the 1911 Census the Family were still living at Park Street and consisted of Parents, John (a carman), Ernst (born 1893, a labourer), Alfred and Herbert.
Wartime Service
Alfred attested on 10 Dec 1915 and was placed on Army Reserve the next day. He was mobilised on 22 Feb 1916 and on 25 Feb 1916 was posted to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 26673. He went to France on 7 July 1916 and was posted to 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment on 17 Jul 1916 and immediately attached to 6th Battalion, Northants Regiment on 1 Sep 1916. Alfred transferred in the Northants Regiment as Private 43009.
In 1917 the 6th Northants took part in the operations on the Ancre (11 Jan – 13 Mar 1917) particularly the actions at Miraumont (17 & 18 Feb 1917) where the 6th Northants attached Grandcourt Trench and Boom Ravine. On day where a recent thaw made the ground treacherous the attack soon came under heavy bombardment from German Artillery and suffered heavy casualties including Alfred.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £5 14s 1d was paid to his mother. Brother Ernest served with London Regiment(Royal Fusiliers and was killed in action on 28 Apr 1917.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Gareth Hughes
