| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information
Reggie was born in Sproatley the 6 Mar 1899 and baptised on Easter Day 1899, the son of Joseph Atkinson, bricklayer and Fanny Maria (nee Drake) from Rutland. Reggie began his whitesmith's apprenticeship with George Lyon of Landress Lane on 1 Jul 1913, he lodged with the Thompson family on St Mary's Terrace, Beverley. In 1911 his family were living iat Grimston Garth where Joseph was employed as a caretaker. Later Reggie's mother ran the Blue Bell Hotel, Sproatley. In Sep 1913 Reggie joined the Beverley Church Lads' Brigade and was described by Neville Hobson, who was in charge, as being "sensitive to criticism of his drill".
Reggie enlisted in the Army on 21 Aug 1914, probably with some of his comrades in the CLB. He declared his age to be 17 but in reality he was 15, the fact that he was 5' 8" tall helping get him into theAarmy, though underage recruits were by no means rare. He joined the 5th Yorkshire Regiment (Territorial Force) as a private. After training he arrived in France on 1 Nov 1915 and had two spells in hospital almost immediately suffering from scabies. He was returned to the UK in early Mar 1916 suffering from "gas effects" according to letters sent by his mother to the military authorities that attempted to get him a discharge from the Army as he was underage and required for munitions work in Beverley.
After investigation he was transferred to the Yorkshire Regiment Territorial Reserve and in early Mar 1917 switched to the 2/4th Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment who were stationed in Ireland. To serve in Ireland counted as "home service" for which he was the right age. On 24 Jun 1917 at Blackwater, Fermoy, Co Cork, Reggie was accidentally drowned when a pleasure boat capsized. The brave conduct of those who attempted to rescue him was noted by the authorities. On 29 Jun 1917 Reggie was buried at St Swithin's church, Sproatley with full military honours. Reggie was awarded the War and Victory Medals as well as the 1914-15 Star because despite being underage he had served outside the UK. He is commemorated on the East Riding Memorial in Beverley Minster. Reggie is also remembered on the Beverley CLB Roll of Honour.
Includes information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |