The AIF Project

William ATKINSON

Regimental number93
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationWeellover
AddressW. Atkinson, Hughenden, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Next of kinMother, Mrs S.J. Atkinson, Helensburgh, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date17 July 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll16 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name31st Battalion, Machine Gun Section
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/48/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 9 November 1915
The Machine Gun Section of 31st Bn left from Melbourne on two ships, HMAT A62 'Wandilla', embarking on 9 November 1915, and HMAT A41 'Bakara', embarking on 5 November 1915. From the Embarkation Rolls it is not possible to distinguish on which ship an individual sailed.
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A61 Bakara on 5 November 1915
The Machine Gun Section of 31st Bn left from Melbourne on two ships, HMAT A62 'Wandilla', embarking on 9 November 1915, and HMAT A41 'Bakara', embarking on 5 November 1915. From the Embarkation Rolls it is not possible to distinguish on which ship an individual sailed.
Regimental number from Nominal Roll93A
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Machine Gun Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: 11 January 1917

FateDied of wounds 20 October 1917
Age at death from cemetery records26
Place of burialEtaples Military Cemetery (Plot XXX, Row F, Grave 3), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
177
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Robert and Ann Jane ATKINSON, Helensburg, New South Wales
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and initiative when in charge of a small post and succeeded in repelling a very superior party of the enemy. Later, while carrying out a reconnaissance, he captured a prisoner single handed.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 116
Date: 25 July 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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