Son of William Atkins and Ann Sophia Brandish who were married on the 15th April 1895 at St. Laurence's Church, Foleshill, Coventry, Warwickshire.

1911 Census states that Walter, 15, was living with his father, William, 39, a coalminer, his mother, Ann, 40, and sister, Annie, 7, in Bell Green, Coventry, he was employed as a machinist at a local bicycle factory.

MILITARY DETAILS

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GUNNER

No.206148

ROYAL TANK CORPS

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COVENTRY EVENING TELEGRAPH - Wednesday 14th February 1917

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Mr. and Mrs. W. Atkins, of Henley Rd, Bell Green, have been officially informed of the death of their son, Gunner Walter William Atkins.

Gunner Atkins was attached to the Motor Machine Gun Section, afterwards being transferred to the Heavy Section (the Tanks). His company went out to France, and his tank was one of the first to cross the German lines. Gunner Atkins was wounded shortly afterwards, being struck in the shoulder by a piece of shrapnel. He was sent back to England and was at St. Oswaldtwistle Hospital, Lancashire, for four months. He received his discharge from hospital on January 20th, and rejoined his company on January 30th.

News was received in Coventry on February 9th that he had passed away during the performance of an operation. His funeral takes place at Foleshill Congregational Chapel tomorrow at 4 p.m. His commanding officer has written that he hopes to be able to send some of his comrades down to attend the ceremony.

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Walter died aged 21, at Bovington Camp, a British Army Military base near Wareham, in Dorset.

Resting with his father and mother who died in 1936 and 1950 respectively.

Many thanks to STEPHEN POPE for the photographs of Gunner Atkins.