Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Corporal A. J. Atkins, London Regiment, killed in action at Gommecourt on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916

1914-15 Star (3221. L. Cpl. A. J. Atkins. 2-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3221. Cpl. A. J. Atkins. 2-Lond. R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-240

Arthur John Atkins was born in Battersea, London, in 1892, and attested for the London Regiment at Westminster, serving in Egypt and Gallipoli, before arriving on the Western Front on 24 April 1916. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme. France. Fatal casualties on this day for the 2nd Battalion London Regiment were approximately 170.

1st/2nd Battalion London Regiment was part of 169th Brigade at Gommecourt on 1 July 1916. The attack started at zero hour and the first two trenches were taken with comparatively minor losses. The companies were split and were suffering casualties from the enemy shelling and heavy machine-gun fire. In the chaos, fighting was intense, grenades being used to the full and enemy counter attacks being launched. Two companies attempted to reinforce, but were cut down by machine-gun fire from Gommecourt Park. By mid-afternoon, the fire was at its hottest. By 7pm, the only hold on enemy trenches was about 70 men in Ferret Trench. At 9:45 pm artillery practically ceased on both sides. At 10pm, ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies were reorganised and with all available details went out to collect the wounded, but were unable to complete the task by daybreak.

The War Diary continues:
“Soon afterwards (12:30am) the enemy were seen in Ferret showing a white flag. With the General’s permission, M.O.s of out battalion and L.R.B., and about 50 men went down Gommecourt Road with stretchers and got in about 45 wounded, the enemy also leaving their trenches for the same purpose. This truce lasted about an hour and was honourably kept by the enemy, who gave us ten minutes to get back to our trenches at its expiration and sent over shells behind us to help us to do so quickly! Some of the wounded lying near the German wire stated that the Germans had come to them in the night and given them coffee.”