Illustrated Chronicle 1918
Illustrated Chronicle 3 Atkinson Brothers
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Hugh Atkinson was born 1887 at Heworth, Gateshead the eldest of 3 sons and a daughter. Alice, who died aged 2 years in 1892. His father Joseph Atkinson was born 1843 at Newburn, Northumberland, mother Jane Skimming native of Minnigaff, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland in 1858, they married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne if 1882. This was his father's second marriage, he had a further 3 sons and a daughter from his first marriage in 1867 to Agnes Paterson also native of Minnigaff born 1847 and who died aged 32 years at Gateshead in 1879. Living at Lavery Street, Heworth in 1891 his father was employed at the paint works, Hugh was aged 4, his half-brothers were all employed, John (20) a labourer at the copper works, James (17) a rivet heater at the ship yards and Joseph Jnr. (14) as a grocer’s assistant. By 1911 all his half siblings were married and his father had retired, he was now 24 years old and working as a fireman at the locomotive department at the colliery, brother Andrew (19) was an apprentice blacksmith at the ship yards, James (12) was still a scholar. Living with them at 17, Hainingwood Terrace, Bill Quay was Frederick Atkinson (19) his half-brother's son, a coal miner and Jane Skimming (22), his first cousin whom he married in the district of Gateshead in 1914.
Hugh Atkinson enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, November 16th 1914, assigned as Private 1006 to the 19th (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. After initial training, close to home, they became a Pioneer Battalion February 8th 1915 joining the 35th Division in July at Masham, North Yorkshire then moved to Salisbury Plain in August for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre, January 29th 1916, concentrating east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they participated during the pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and the Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Tieghem.
Private 1006 Hugh Atkinson Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action June 1st 1918, his body buried on the battlefield by his comrades. After Armistice when the battlefields were being cleared his remains were found and brought into Martinsart British Cemetery, Somme, France and reburied with all honour and reverence, grave I. B. 5. At the time of his demise he was 31 years old.
His widow Jane received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at 5, Dene Gardens, Station Road, Bill Quay, County Durham. She commissioned an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “In Loving Memory-Aged 31 Years”.
The death of Private Atkinson preceded that of his father who died in 1919, aged 76 years, death of mother and wife unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Hugh Atkinson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and at Bill Quay on B119.01
