Corporal John William Atkinson

Born on 26 August 1893 in Pontefrack, England - son of John T. and M.J. Atkinson, Toronto, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as bookkeeper, single, no present or previous military service, height of 5 feet 10 inches, chest of 36 inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes, fair hair, Presbyterian.

Joined the 38th Battalion on 15 February or 1 March 1915 (number 410235) - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - killed in action on 18 November 1916 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial.

(Updated with a photo of Cpl Atkinson's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org; Peter Gower (comp.), Kingston Volunteers: The Thing To Do (Kingston: n.p., 2008), p.18)