Atkinson, William Lloyd (Captain, b.1896 - d.1975)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 38128 Bombardier (later Captain) William Lloyd Atkinson MM, 13 Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Australia, United Kingdom, France, 1916-1919.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of a copy of a 15-page handwritten memoir Atkinson wrote after the First World War detailing his service as an artilleryman in training, on the Western Front, and his return home. He begins with his initial field and artillery training at Mitcham and Maribyrnong Camps in Australia, before detailing his journey to the United Kingdom via Ceylon, Egypt, Italy and southern France. He delves into his routine, the sights, the weather, and his initial impressions aboard the troopship and in each port. He joined the 113th Howitzer Battery in France in May 1917, and thereafter describes his first experience at the front, working the guns and coming under German artillery fire. He also details an incident in which German shell fire caused an explosion among a series of parked tanks; Atkinson's efforts to help save some of the tanks was rewarded with the Military Medal. He later describes the Battle of Amiens, operations against the Hindenberg Line, leave in Brussels, and the end of the war.