ATKINSON Robert Norman

His brothers Leonard and John Surtees Atkinson also fell.

The following information has been researched by John Barry:
1939 Register
Ashbury Farm, Evesham
Robert N. Atkinson, born 21st August 1921, University Undergrad

Newspaper
19th July 1944
ATKINSON – Killed in action, Normandy, in July, 1944, Lt. Robert Atkinson, Highland Light Infantry, attached The Parachute Regt., second son of Major J.E. Atkinson, of Newbiggin, Hexham, and Mrs Edward Loch, Kemerton, near Tewkesbury.

Tewkesbury Register, 25th August 1944
Kemerton Officer’s Death
Killed While Helping Batman
A military observer writes: This is the story of Lieut. Atkinson, step-son of Col. E. G. Lock, O.B.E., of Kemerton, Tewkesbury, and Mrs Lock, who was killed in France recently when he went back to help his batman who had been shot by the Germans.
The story really begins about six hours before the invasion proper began. Lieut. Atkinson jumped into France by parachute with his battalion at about half past one in the morning, and his first job was to take a patrol to clear a chateau in an important area. Crawling to the chateau with a few men, he was confronted at the door by madame herself.
“Good morning, madame,” Atkinson said, “We are the Army of Liberation.”
Madame welcomed him warmly, told him where a number of Hun army officers were sleeping, adding: “When they are dealt with, I shall go back to bed.” And so she did!
But Atkinson didn’t. Setting out with his gallant little group, he went to search for prey. They found tanks, which they blew up, and mortar nests which they put out of action, and it was not until one o’clock next day, that the men, content with what they had then achieved, reported back to an anxiously awaiting Colonel.
And so Lieut. Atkinson went on, until he was the last remaining parachute subaltern in the battalion. Returning one day to his own lines with his batman the latter was shot. Lieut. Atkinson saw the man fall and went back to help. As he stooped over him, he too was shot and killed.

Gloucestershire Citizen, 20th November 1944
Three Brothers Casualties
Lieut. Leonard Atkinson, of the 24th Regiment attached to the King’s Liverpool Regiment, 21 years old youngest son of Major J. E. Atkinson, of New Biggin, Hexham, Northumberland, and of Mrs Edward Loch, of Kemerton, near Tewkesbury, who has been killed in action in Italy this month was one of three brothers who have become war casualties.
In January, 1942, Captain John Surtees Atkinson, 3rd Cavalry, Indian Armoured Corps, was reported missing in Malaya. The other brother, Lieut. Robert Atkinson, Highland Light Infantry, attached to the Parachute Regiment 6th Airborne Division, was killed in Normandy in July last.
The same report appears in the Shields News, 20th November 1944.

Probate 1944
ATKINSON Robert Norman of Dutnells Kemerton near Tewkesbury Gloucestershire died 7 July 1944 on war service Probate Llandudno 23 November to Edward Campbell Loch retired Colonel Indian Army Effects £341 4s.