ATKINS, Alfred
| Service Number: | 5031 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 1857 |
| Home Town: | Verdun (Formerly Grunthal), Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Plumber |
| Died: | Self inflicted wounds (cut throat), Larkhill, England, United Kingdom, 19 November 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Sutton Cemetery, Greater London, England Grave No. 252, Sutton Veny (St John) Churchyard, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Verdun Roll of Honour Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 5031, 2nd Depot Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 5031, 10th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Shropshire embarkation_ship_number: A9 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 5031, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Shropshire, Adelaide |
Alfred Atkins
Name: Alfred Atkins
Service Number: 5031
Place of Birth: Geelong
Date of Birth: 1870
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 30 December 1915
Age at Enlistment: 45
Next of Kin: Mr. C. Wilson / Grunthal
Occupation: Plumber
Religion: Presbyterian
Rank: Private
Alfred had 3 years service with the Ballarat Volunteer Military prior to joining the 10th Battalion of the 1st A.I.F. He embarked at Adelaide on HMAT Shropshire on 25 March 1916. While at No. 3 Camp at Larkhill, England in June 1917 he was reported as illegally absent from duty but no disciplinary action was taken over this offence.
On 19 November 1917 Atkins committed suicide by cutting his throat. When found, he still had the razor in his hand. The Coroner’s Court held to investigate his death concluded Atkins’ death was due to “suicide while of unsound mind.”
The accompanying article from Atkins’ War Service Record sheds more light upon his sad demise.
The Salisbury and South Wilts Gazette Friday November 23, 1917.
A soldier’s suicide: Tragic discovery in a camp.
Submitted 26 October 2023 by christopher collins
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK
Died on this date - 18th November......Private Alfred Atkins was born at Geelong, Victoria around 1870. He enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 30th December, 1915 as a 45 year old Plumber from Grunthal, South Australia.
Private Atkins embarked from Adelaide on 25th March, 1916 for England where further training would occur. He was attached to 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington, Wiltshire.
Private Atkins was medically classed as "C1" on 16th April, 1917 - fit for Home Service only. He was declared illegally absent from 8th May, 1917.
Private Alfred Atkins died on 19th November, 1917 of wounds (cut throat - self inflicted) at No. 3 Camp, Larkhill, Wiltshire, England. He had been admitted into Fargo Hospital dead.
A Coroner's Inquest was held & it was found that he had died from Suicide - while of unsound mind.
Private Atkins was buried in St. John the Evangelist Churchyard at Sutton Veny, WIltshire, England where 140 other WW1 Australian Soldiers & 2 Australian Nurses are buried.
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/sutton-veny-a---b.html
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