Name
Rupert Arthur Atkins
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/11/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Driver
123138
Royal Field Artillery
33rd Division Ammunition Column
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CAUDRY BRITISH CEMETERY
Plot II, Row B, Grave 13.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford, 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 Rupert's death, so it is possible that he had no direct connection to this location.
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, Watford; Daniel died 1 November 1937 in Croxley Green aged 65, and was buried 4 November, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Rupert was born 1898 in Watford. He attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 3 September 1907 to 27 January 1908.
On the 1901 Census, aged 2 he lived in Watford; with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 12, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He was entitled to the Victory and British War Medals, and died of sickness.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Rupert in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 14 December 1918. Rupert is also commemorated on his parent's grave in Vicarage Road Cemetery. His brother Harold died 17 November 1918 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Rupert is also commemorated on his brother, Harold's grave in Watford Cemetery (non CWGC grave) 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, Rupert’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing, and he appears to have no entry in Soldiers Died in the Great war 1914-1919.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
