44th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 19 December 1916.

Atkinson was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 4 November 1916 reported, ANOTHER MEDAL WINNER, Burnley Soldier's Modesty. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson of Rose Hill Road, Burnley have received news that their son L/Corporal Jas. G. Atkinson of 44 Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., has won the Military Medal. A short time ago in a letter to his parents he announced his success; a letter dated 22 October, answered his parents congratulations, and stated, yesterday I was presented with my ribbon. When you ask me what I did to earn this distinction you put me in an awkward predicament, for you know that modesty in the Atkinson family is proverbial, and I think it better that I repeat the General's message. It says, I am pleased to award L/Corporal Atkinson the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the Somme, September 15th, 1916. He adds, we are a little busy at the moment, so I will write more later.