Private 32988.

4^th Bn. South Staffordshire Regt.

Died Thursday 30^th May. 1918 aged 37.

Grave ref. Soissons Memorial Aisen France.

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Charles Alfred Atkin was the second son of  Henry Atkin & Fanny Atkin.  Charles’ father, Henry, was a railway signalman, originating from Loughborough.  His mother Fanny was born in Lincolnshire, as was Charles’ elder brother Harry.  By 1901 the family were living in New Westwood and remained there until at least 1915, moving some time later to School House on Palmerston Street.  The 1901 Census of that year lists the family as follows – Henry (50 years), Fanny (51 years), Harry (24), Alfred, (20), Helen (18), Amy (16), Arthur (12), Jesse (9) and Bertha (3).  Charles had another sister, named Edith, aged 22 years who had left home by 1901. At the time of the census, in 1901 Charles Alfred was employed as a Grocer’s Assistant. In 1903 he married Mary Elizabeth Hill and by 1915 they were living in Sedgwick Street, Jacksdale. 

Charles obviously preferred to be know by his second name ‘Alfred’ and is recorded on the Jacksdale Memorial as ‘A’ Atkin.  

Private Atkin enlisted at Kimberley, Notts - date unknown. He was killed in action on Thursday 30th May 1918, aged 37 years. From the end of May 1918, Soissons fell, once again into German hands. 

Commemorated at The Soissons Memorial France, Memorial to 4,000 war dead with no known grave. 

He is also mentioned on his son’s grave in St Mary’s Churchyard, Westwood. (Private Charles Alfred Atkin and his wife Mary Elizabeth Atkin (nee Hill) known as Polly Atkin, lost a son, during the influenza epidemic also named Charles Alfred, on 21st July 1914, aged only 10 years.) 

Charles Alfred’s younger brother, Lieutenant Jesse Marson Atkin was also killed during WW1 and is listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial.  

The 1918 Electoral Roll for Sedgwick Street, Jacksdale, lists Private CA Atkin as an absent voter. His widow was later to take up residence with relatives on Main Road, Jacksdale, having lost her husband and her only child.  Mary had worked at The James Oakes Pipeyard during WW1. 

In November 2001, The Jacksdale Memorial Group were given a medal belonging to Private Atkin with the express wish that it be returned to the nearest living relative. We are pleased and privileged to report that the medal has now been presented to Charles Alfred Atkin’s nephew.