'C' Company, 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 13 March 1918.

Atkinson was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 5 January 1918 reported, TRAM EMPLOYEE WINS MEDAL. Killed Before Honour Bestowed. The death in action under very sad circumstances is reported of Private Harold Victor Atkinson, Lancashire Fusiliers, a native of Halifax, and formerly an employee in the fitters’ shop at the Tram Shed, an occupation he had filled for about three years. He was killed in action on 25 December the day before he should have had the ribbon of the Military Medal pinned on his breast. These facts were communicated to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, of 18, Mansergh Street, Lane Head, the other day by Private W. Smith, who states that the deceased soldier was killed instantly, and therefore, did not suffer any pain. All the lads in the company feel his loss very much.

The deceased and his pal, Private Smith, went to France together, and were both on pass for Burnley. Writing on December 25th, Private Atkinson informed his parents that he had won the Military Medal, and got to know of it on the 23rd. He knew he had been mentioned, but did not expect anything, so that the news came as a surprise to him. The deed in which he won the distinction was for carrying messages under very heavy shell fire, work for which he had volunteered to do. He got slightly wounded in the left hand, but did not think much about it, telling his mother not to worry. Captain Kenneth I. F. Leeming, in expressing his sympathy with the deceased soldier’s family, says that Private Atkinson was his own messenger, and he had learned to love him like a brother, as he was always so cheery and could never do too much for him (the captain). He was thankful that Private Atkinson lived to know he had won the Military Medal, which he thoroughly deserved. His death was a great shock to all officers and men of his company. The Rev. Reginald French, Chaplain, also wrote expressing his condolence with Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson and family, and stated that the deceased was buried in a military cemetery not far from their position, and a cross was being made to mark the spot.

Private Harold Victor Atkinson (35736), Lancashire Fusiliers, was 20 years of age last July. He joined the colours on May 23rd, 1916, and went abroad in the September following. Two brothers of the deceased are serving their country. One in the 18th Hussars, went through the retreat from Mons, the other is a gunner in the R.F.A., who has been in France for nearly three years., he was in the territorial’s when war broke out. Mr. Atkinson had another son who served in the R.H.A., during the Boer War and later in India; and a nephew on board H.M.S. Queen Mary at Jutland.

Atkinson is buried in the Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Belgium. The son of Ernest and Florence Atkinson of 18, Mansergh Street, Burnley Lancashire.