D.L.I. Book of Remembrance
CWGC headstone
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Walker Atkinson was born 1870 in South Shields. one of 4 known children, 2 boys and 2 girls, born to John Atkinson 1842 County Durham and his wife Mary Jane Gardiner 1846 native of South Shields. His father worked at Harton Colliery as a colliery labourer, he and his family resided in Westoe. November 28th 1891 James Walker Atkinson married Annie Steel (1872) from Lanchester, in the district of Lanchester. They moved to Pontop Rows in 1901 and later in 1911 could be found living at 17 Front Street, Annfield Plain. James worked all his life as a hewer, his eldest son John, now 18, was a putter.
James Walker Atkinson enlisted May 16th 1915 in Stanley and was posted to the Tyne Garrison in South Shields, July 3rd, attached to the 3rd Reserve Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private 27572. He was mobilised December 23rd 1915 and sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force and there transferred, January 5th, in the field, to the 15th Battalion D. L. I., 64th Brigade, 21st Division. He was hospitalised briefly suffering from Gastro Enteritis in April 1916 returning to his Battalion 2 days later. In the Spring of 1916 preparations were well underway for the offensive on the Somme, the Battalion was in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916, at Fricourt where it captured the German front line trenches. They participated 15th-22nd September at Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval 25th -28th and the Battle of Transloy 1st-8th October 1916. In 1917 they were involved on the first day of the Battle of Arras which lasted from April 9th- May 16th 1917. After the confusion of the first days of battle it was reported that Private Atkinson had not been seen since April 9th/10th, he was finally placed on the casualty list April 14th 1917. Private 27572 James Walker Atkinson Durham Light Infantry was officially declared to have been killed in action April 10th 1917 as officially registered April 19th 1917. His body was later discovered on the battlefield, marked with a cross, on the site of which is now Cojeul British Cemetery, St. Martin-Sur-Cojeul, Pas de Calais, France. He is interred grave D 36, James Walker Atkinson was 45 years old.
His personal items were in due course returned to his widow, now living at Pontop Cottages, Annfield Plain, consisting of; photos, cards, Testimonial, spectacles in case, a split ring. She also received his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Annie was also entitled to all monies due to him and a pension of 33 shillings and 9 pence a week for herself and 6 qualifying children. This was contested by her as their daughter Mary Ann Gardiner Atkinson born in 1915 was not included, having died of shock as a consequence of being scalded by a cup of tea she pulled onto herself, May 8th 1917. After production of the death certificate proving that her father was Private Atkinson his widow was awarded a further 2 shilling and 7 pence a week backdated.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Walker Atkinson is remembered at Annfield Plain on A38.01
His name is in the Durham Light Infantry Book of Remembrance kept in the DLI Memorial Chapel Durham Cathedral D47.013
