Arthur Atkins was working as a draper in Auckland when he enlisted for the South African War in 1900. He was born in Hurda, India, the son of a railway policeman. He served in South Africa to the end of the war and stayed on with Baden-Powell's police force until 1904.
He was a carpenter at Otira when he enlisted on august 20, 1914, for the First World War.
ROLL OF HONOUR.
SERGT.-MAJOR ATKINS, D.C.M.
Sergeant-Major Arthur A. Atkins, who has just been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for having "led a section, and captured and held a strongly-defended enemy post, which was directing a heavy fire on the head of an advancing column," was an Auckland boy, having received his education at Ramarama, though he was born in India. He is the eldest son of Mrs. M. A. Nicholson, of Northcote, who has also three other sons on active service, viz., Corporal Eustace Nicholson, Private Marmion Nicholson (at the front), and Private Edward Nicholson (now in camp prior to proceeding to the front). Sergeant-Major Atkins was through the South African War, and enlisted as a private with the main body of the 13th North Canterbury and Westland Company of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He was wounded twice in the present war. The first occasion was on the 7th August last, on recovery from which he again entered the firing line, and was wounded last month, being admitted to the Bombay Presidency General Hospital, Alexandria, on the 21st November, suffering from shell wounds in the thigh. -Auckland Star, 1/12/1915.
The London Gazette of November 29, 1915, has this to say about Arthur's actions which led to his receiving the Distinguished Conduct Medal: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 7th August, 1915, during the attack on Chunuk Bair (Dardanelles). While advancing up a narrow gully with precipitous sides, his battalion suddenly came on a strongly defended post, which barred the way, and from which a heavy rifle fire was directed on the head of the column. Sergeant Atkins, getting his section in hand, without hesitation rushed the position, captured and held it. He displayed great bravery and coolness, and set a splendid example to all with him"
Amongst those who returned is Sergeant-Major Atkins, D.C.M.. who gained his decoration in the August fighting on the Peninsula. During the advance, a party of the enemy suddenly appeared on the flank of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, and Atkins, without waiting for orders, gathered a party of men round him and charged the Turks, putting them completely to rout. -Sun, 14/4/1916.
Sergeant-Major Atkins is at present visiting Hokitika on a recruiting mission. We understand that he has a complete list of the names of all eligible men in the district, and it is his intention during the next week or so to interview each one of them personally to ask the reason why. -West Coast Times, 25/5/1916.
OFFICERS' CAMP.
GOOD WORK BEING DONE.
The officers in camp at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trolling Club's grounds are progressing very well indeed with the work it is proposed to cover during their 10 days' stay in camp. Yesterday the men accomplished a great deal of useful work, and in the evening two lectures were given. The first address — on "The Organisation of the District" — was given by Lieut. Hopkins, and the second, on "Trench Warfare," was given by Sergeant-Instructor Atkins, D.C.M. -Sun, 8/9/1916.
There was an interesting ceremony in the King Edward Barracks last night, when the Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, presented Distinguished Conduct Medals to two Anzac soldiers, Sergeant-Major A. A. Atkins and Sergeant H. Rhind, both of the Canterbury Battalion. The Minister stated that the honour was conferred on Sergeant-Major Atkins for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on August 7, 1915, during the attack on Chunuk Hair, on Gallipoli. While advancing up a narrow gully with precipitous sides his battalion suddenly came up to a strongly-fortified post, which barred the way, and from which a heavy rifle fire was directed on the head of the column. Sergeant-Major Atkins, getting his section in hand, without hesitation rushed the position, and captured and held it. He displayed great bravery and coolness, and set a splendid example to all with him. Sergeant Rhind, continued Mr Allen, earned the honour when he was in charge of scouts and snipers at Gallipoli, and also when he undertook dangerous enterprises alone. -Ashburton Guardian, 20/10/1916.
Colonel Chaffey, officer commanding the Canterbury military district, has received the following letter from the Hon J. Allen Minister of Defence, regarding the recent parade at the King Edward Barracks: - It was most gratifying to me to see such a splendid parade on the occasion of the Presentation of Distinguished Conduct Medals to Sergeant-Major Atkins and Corporal Rhind. Please accept yourself, and convey to the officers and men, my appreciation of their soldierly behaviour, and tell them that it was a great pleasure to me to be there with them. I hope that they will carry in their memories the reason for the parade, and that the example which these two men have set by their courage and devotion to duty will ever remain with them, and act as an incentive to duty to them to carry out whatever duties they may be called upon to perform in the future with such splendid spirit. -Lyttelton Times, 28/10/1916.
THE MONSTER BAZAAR
The Monster Bazaar, which was continued at the. Princess Theatre last night with further success, will tie brought to a close to-day.
The Bazaar will be open from 3 to o this afternoon, and from 7 to 10.30 to. night. Commencing at 8 o’clock, Mrs Staveley will he responsible for another good and entertaining programme, in which several of the favourite items by the preceding evenings will he included by request, and to which some entirely new numbers will be added. “Fairyland,” by universal request will be the opening item again, commencing at 8 o'clock sharp. At 8.30 the "Quakeress’’ song and chorus will be rendered; 8.4.5 Juvenile Items and March "Sergeant Daddy, V.C.; 9, "The Long Long Trail,” with marching lantern chorus; 9.15, “Agatha Green” and chorus; 10.30 "The Moon Chorus”; 9.45 “ Laddie in Khaki ” and at in "The Dudes,” with topical verses, including: —
We’re off to Atkins, D.C.M.,
he'll sign us on off the reel;
Enlisting at the right time.
For now the time is fight time.
When victory’s won, as we expect
The girls will say, we are so correct."
To-day will he bargain day, and tonight there will be gift auctions at various stages, when unsold goods will he offered for sale at sweeping prices. Patrons will have the opportunity of securing some good bargains. -West Coast times, 8/12/1916.
SERGEANT-MAJOR A. A. ATKINS, D.C.M.
At half-past six o’clock last evening death claimed another victim of pneumonic influenza in the person of Sergeant-Major Albert Arthur (“Tommy”) Atkins, of Hokitika. The deceased, who was very well known all over the Coast, had a very brilliant military career, which unfortunately has now been cut short. He enlisted from Greymouth with the Main Body, and subsequently joined the Nelson Regiment, and then preceded to Gallipoli with "our boys.” It was for duty on Gallipoli shores that he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was very badly wounded there and in consequence was invalided back to the Dominion. On returning to the West Coast, over two years ago, he was appointed sub-area officer at Hokitika, which position he occupied with credit to himself and his Department until his death. The late Sergeant-Major Atkins who was 37 years of age at the time of his death, also saw service in the South African war. He was a married man and leaves a widow and one child to mourn his loss. To them the sympathy of the whole community is extended. A military funeral will be accorded to the deceased soldier at Hokitika, to-morrow morning at 10 o’clock. -Grey River Argus, 23/11/1918.
The funeral of the late Sergt.-Major A. A, Atkins, D.C.M. (Gallipoli), took place yesterday and was Very numerously attended. The cortege moved from the Drill Shed where the body had been taken the day before. The firing party under Sergt-Major Green led the procession, followed by a goodly muster of Druids. Next to the hearse came the chief mouthers, Mr. Morgan, (father-in-law), and Mr J. Cameron, (brother in-law), and other relatives and close friends. The pall-hearers were returned soldiers, namely. Private Woolhouse (Gallipoli), Trooper F. Smith, (Palestine), Trooper Bannister and Rifleman Martin, (France). The main body of returned soldiers, Territorials and Senior Cadets led the main portion of the procession. The officers present were Major Jeffries in charge of the parade, Captain Colclough, area officer, Lieut. Powell, (Territorials), and Lieut. Parkhill, (Senior Cadets). There was a large attendance of citizens including the Hon. H. L. Michel, representatives of local bodies and patriotic workers. The Rev. Dr. Holloway conducted the Anglican service at the graveside, where the military salute was fired, and Bugler Ross sounded the “Last Post” — that musical melody calling the soldier to his long home for the last Grand Parade. -Hokitika Guardian 25/11/1918.
Hokitika Cemetery.
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