Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1881 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/861a,
the son of Fenton Granger & Rosalie Elizabeth Helena Atkinson (nee Clegg). 
In 1881 they were residing at Firs Road, Bowdon, which is probably where
Arthur was born.  He was their third son.

1891 Census - "Fairholme", Firs Road, Bowdon.   Son - aged: 9 - born:
Bowdon.    Head of household - Fenton Granger Atkinson - Married - aged: 41
- occ: Solicitor - born: Manchester.   Also - Rosalie Helena Elizabeth
Atkinson - Wife - aged: 41 - born: Jersey, Channel Islands.   Plus 3 elder
brothers and 1 elder sister and 2 domestic servants.

1901 Census - No Trace.  At Madras, India?    His parents and siblings were
still residing at Firs Road, Bowdon.

His father - Fenton G. Atkinson died in 1904 - aged: 55.   His mother in
1928.

1911 Census - No Trace.

Educated at Bowdon College.   Employed as a Cotton Trader by Messrs. Binney
& Co. of Madras, India, for 5 years, where he served in the Madras Rifles. 
    On returning to Manchester, he was employed as a Salesman by Atkinson &
Co. Yarn Agents, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.   
A member of both the Bowdon & Timperley Golf Clubs and contributed articles
to the "Golf Illustrated" magazine under the name of "Sandy Hollows".  He
enjoyed amateur dramatics, being a member of the Altrincham & Bowdon A.D.S.


Commissioned with the 19th Bn Manchester Rgt, but transferred to the 26th
Bn when they (19th Bn) went to the front.   His experiences with the Madras
Rifles helped him do some useful work at the Manchester Rgt's H.Q. training
recruits.    Appointed second lieutenant on 1st March 1916 (Gazetted 13th
December 1915), he re-joined the 19th Bn (4th City Pals) and finally went
to the front with them.

Trained at Heaton Park, Manchester until the 24th April 1915 when they
entrained for Belton Camp near Grantham, Lincolnshire.  Moved to the
Larkhill Camp, Salisbury on the 7th September 1915.   On the 7th November
1915 the 19th Bn marched to Amesbury Station and boarded troop trains for
Southampton where they boarded the S.S. Queen Alexandria.  The Bn was part
of the 21st Brigade, 30th Division and Arthur served with 'C' Company when
they attacked the Glatz Redoubt at Montauban on the 1st July.

His chum 2nd Lieutenant Willoughby Wellard Smith (who also died 8 days
later), wrote home (his own home) stating that he had found "Wilfred's"
body.

Death reported in the 11/07/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Listed as A. Wilfred Atkinson on St. John's Mem - he was obviously known
generally as Wilfred.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917.