Name
Harold Marcus Atkins
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/11/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
890570
Royal Field Artillery
D/6 Ret Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WATFORD CEMETERY
Plot A, Row 1, Grave 30.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Beechen Grove Baptist Church Memorial, Watford, Not on the Croxley Green memorials
Pre War
Son of Daniel James and Emma Sarah (nee GLENISTER) ATKINS of Croxley Green, Herts. This address was given after Harold's death, so it is possible that he had no direct connection to this location. Harold was the husband of Florence Victoria (nee WOOD) ATKINS.
His parents married 1893 in the Watford district. Emma died 9 February 1931 in Croxley Green aged 58, and was buried 13 February in Vicarage Road Cemetery; Daniel died 1 November 1937 in Croxley Green aged 65, and was buried 4 November, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Harold was born 1 November 1896 in Watford. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 9 to 19 January 1906, from 15 October 1906 to 5 June 1908, and finally from 9 February 1909 to 14 April 1911. He married 2 November 1918 at Christ Church, Luton, and was buried 23 November. Florence never remarried, and died 25 February 1981 in Watford aged 84.
There is a Marriage announcement for Harold in the Observer dated 16 November 1918.
On the 1901 Census, aged 4 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 14, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He appears to have no medals, and died at the V.A.D. Hospital, Wardown, Luton, Beds.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Harold in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 23 November 1918, plus another article in the issue dated 14 December 1918. Harold is also commemorated on his parent's grave in Vicarage Road Cemetery. His brother Rupert died 24 November 1918 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Harold is buried in Watford Cemetery (non CWGC grave) and his brother Rupert is also commemorated on what is now a family headstone. Their inscription reads:
ARNOLD MARCUS ATKINS S/S CPL. R.F.A.
WHO ENTERED INTO REST NOV. 17. 1918. AGED 22 YEARS.
ALSO OF RUPERT ARTHUR ATKINS DVR. R.F.A.BROTHER OF THE ABOVE.
WHO DIED AT CAUDRY. FRANCE NOI. 24. 1918. AGED 20 YEARS.
DEARLY LOVED BY ALL WHO KNEW THEM.
Unfortunately, Harold’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing, and also appears to have no entry in the Soldiers Died in the Great War dataset.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
