| Regimental number | 2569 |
| Place of birth | Yacka, South Australia |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Address | Franklin Harbour, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 18 |
| Height | 5' 6" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, James William Atkinson, Thornton Street, Dulwich, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil (exempt area under Compulsory Military Training scheme) |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | Final rank incorrectly entered on Nominal Roll as Private. |
| Discharge date | |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 2568 Pte Charles Blakeley ATKINSON, 32nd Bn, returned to Australia, 22 Mary 1919. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 20 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 30 June 1916. Taken on strength, 32nd Bn, in the field, 2 August 1916. Admitted to 15th Field Ambulance, 22 January 1917 (scalded left foot: accidental); transferred to 38th Casualty Clearing Station, 23 January 1917; marched in to 5th Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, 18 February 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 25 February 1917. On leave to England, 16 August 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 2 September 1917. Detached to 2nd Army Summer Rest Camp, 2 October 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 16 October 1917. Appointed Lance Corporal, 10 December 1917. Admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance, 9 May 1918, and transferred to 20th Casualty Clearing Station; to 61st Casualty Clearing Station, 10 May 1918; transferred by Ambulance Train No 28 to 9th General Hospital, Rouen, 11 May 1918 (pyrexia, unknown origin); transferred to England, 14 May 1918, and admitted to 2/1 Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, 15 May 1918; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 31 May 1918; discharged on furlough, 4 June 1918, to report to No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 18 June 1918. Marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 30 July 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 22 August 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 26 August 1918. Wounded in action, 29 September 1918 (gun shot wound, right arm and face), and admitted to 13th Field Ambulance, and transferred to 12th Casualty Clearing Station; to 2nd General Hospital, Havre, 30 September 1918; to England, 2 October 1918, and admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol, 3 October 1918 (wound: severe); transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 16 December 1918; discharged on furlough, 8 January 1919, to report to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 22 January 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Czartiza', 16 March 1919; transshipped to HT 'Dunluce Castle', Alexandria, 7 April 1919 ; disembarked Adelaide, 13 May 1919; discharged (medically unfit), 19 October 1919. |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, ATKINSON Robert David |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
