ATKINSON, Raymond Leslie
| Service Number: | 1876 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 June 1915, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 23rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | South Preston, Victoria, 24 September 1895 |
| Home Town: | Coburg, Moreland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | North Melbourne State School |
| Occupation: | Plumber |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 4 August 1916, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Coburg A.O.F. Ct. Tent No. 9123 Honor Roll, Coburg Baptist Church Honor Roll, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France), West Coburg Methodist Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1876, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Aug 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1876, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 26 Aug 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1876, 23rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Melbourne | |
| 12 Oct 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1876, 23rd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 4 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1876, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Robyne Undy
Raymond Leslie Atkinson
Ray was attached to the 23rd Battalion and enlisted on 12/06/1915. He was a plumber at the time and living at home with his parents in Coburg, Victoria. He left for Alexandria on board the Anchesis on 26/08/1915 but on receiving further orders they proceeded straight to France disembarking in Marseilles on 26/03/1916.
In July heavy fighting continued in the battle for Pozieres. The 23rd Battalion fought in waves followed by men with picks and shovels working to dig trenches. All their fighting and moving was carried out at night passing through a barrage of enemy shells in the dark. The troops were also in the fringe of their own barrage and the losses incurred were severe with only a remnant of the unit returning. Major Brand, Captain Kennedy and Lieutenant R.G. Raws were missing and the total loss for the 23rd was 5 officers and 326 other ranks. The surviving men continued to dig in the wake of the bursting shells almost being buried amongst the dead and dying as they worked. The shells lit up the night sky like day while men continued to tunnel in order to survive another day. A few days later Ray was listed as killed in action.
On the 13th of September Rays mother, Amelia Atkinson wrote to Major Lean in the hope of learning how her son had died.
"We received with sorrow the account of our dear lad's death, still we are proud of our boy and glad to serve our country. Will you kindly let us know any particulars as soon as you can. We are very anxious but don't like to worry you too soon."
Ray's personal effects were received on 05/07/1917 returning to Australia on board the Beltana.
Amelia wrote to Major Lean to request a death certificate in order to settle Ray's financial affairs. The family had now been informed that their older son Frederick Atkinson had also been killed prompting the Minister of Defence to send the family word that their remaining son Herbert Atkinson was to be returned home.
The family's losses were great and on 04/10/1921, their father Richard Atkinson signed for a memorial scroll and King's message in memory of his sons' sacrifices during the war.
Compiled from research by Lee-ann Atkinson for the "The Thames Legacy" The Atkinson Family History.
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