seaJane Posted 20 January , 2016 Share Posted 20 January , 2016 Afternoon all, I spotted a group photograph from 1924 in the collection a couple of hours ago: the surgeon commander is labelled only 'Atkinson' in the margin, but I'm fairly sure it is Edward Leicester Atkinson, one of the two RN surgeons with Captain Scott's Terra Nova expedition to the Antarctic. If this is Atch, he is visibly showing the effects of injuries received in the explosion and sinking of HMS GLATTON in Dover Harbour (Sep 1918); can anyone confirm the medal ribbons? I'm afraid I can't get a clearer shot at the photograph. To the best of my knowledge, they should be the usual trio, the DSO (and bar?) and the Albert Medal (gold). Any thoughts? VMT sJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 20 January , 2016 Share Posted 20 January , 2016 The bottom row certainly looks like the ribbon of the Polar Medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 20 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 20 January , 2016 Ah, that would make sense! I thought there had to be another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 20 January , 2016 Share Posted 20 January , 2016 Atkinson had, of course, an artificial eye and facial scarring as a result of the GLATTON explosion. The left eye in the picture looks a bit 'iffy'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 20 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 20 January , 2016 Thanks horatio2! I knew he'd been half-blinded aboard GLATTON (hence my comment in the initial post) but this is the first confirmation I've had of an artificial eye. I don't doubt your word about it at all, but any chance you recall your source for the information? Thanks again sJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 21 January , 2016 Share Posted 21 January , 2016 In her "From Ice Floes to Battlefields" (ISBN 978 0 7509 6178 3) Anne Strathie states (p.175): "By November Atkinson had completed a prescribed period of recuperation in Devon and been fitted with an artificial eye.". Her reference is correspondence between Atkinson and Cherry Garrard of 17 November 1918 held at the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI/MS559/24/44). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 21 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 21 January , 2016 Righto, thanks for that. Another book I need to read! (In 1919 he was out on the Dvina. Didn't know how to take it easy, I think). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 21 January , 2016 Share Posted 21 January , 2016 Hi Jane, I know that Atkinson was awarded the DSO for his service on the Somme in 1917. In July 1917 whilst serving with the Howitzer Brigade in France was injured by an enemy shell and badly wounded and was in turn noted for his exceptional work within the brigade. In May 1918 HM King George V awarded the DSO to Atkinson The citation reads ‘Atkinson had carried out his duties with the greatest of zeal and energy and shown an excellent example by his fearlessness and devotion to duty. Having been twice wounded he would have been relieved of his post but he had a strong desire to stay at his post’ During the First World War, Atkinson served with the Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli and was also Mentioned in Dispatches Twice. The Albert Medal was awarded for his actions when saving men from the Glatton, following the explosion. He became the youngest Surgeon Captain in the Navy before being retired on health grounds in 1928. He died at sea the following year. Atkinson, was most famous of course for being the leader of the search party, that found Scott’s tent all but buried in snow and was able to retrieve the bodies for burial. His medal entitlement seems therefore to be the DSO, Albert Medal, 1914/15 Trio and Polar Medal. I wonder were his actual medals are these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 21 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 21 January , 2016 Thanks KB. I've been helping someone research a biography of Atch these last few years so I'm rather cross with myself for not finding the picture in time for publication (you'll find a few posts on the subject in the Ships etc forum and other places). I'm assuming the top line is the trio, middle two DSO and AM, and the Polar Medal at the bottom as horatio2 said. If I recall correctly there is a nephew or great-nephew surviving, but I am not sure if he has ownership of the medals. The Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge probably knows (or I could look in the new book, but it's just gone to someone for review). sJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 Hello SeaJane, here is a selection of newspaper articles that you might be interested in:- 1). Aberdeen Daily Journal 2nd July 1913. 2). The Western Morning and Mercury Daily News - November 16th 1928. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 3). Western Daily News Bristol, November 16th 1928 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 4). Western Daily Press, Bristol, 21st May 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 5). The Courier - 1st July 1913 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 6). The People's Journal 24th May 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 7). Western Daily Press, Feb 22nd 1929. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 8). The Evening Telegraph, 21st May 1919. Albert Medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 9). The Exeter and Devon Gazette - 21st May 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 24 January , 2016 Share Posted 24 January , 2016 10). Probate. - The Yorkshire Post - May 9th 1929 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 24 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 24 January , 2016 Thanks KB! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody79 Posted 6 July , 2022 Share Posted 6 July , 2022 I know this is a old thread but looking on more information or someone who may be able to help with a Albert medal of Edward leicester Atkinson I have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 6 July , 2022 Share Posted 6 July , 2022 This thread has a lot of detail about ATKINSON. To what other specific questions are you now seeking answers? And what sort of "help" do tyou need with his medal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 6 July , 2022 Author Share Posted 6 July , 2022 @Cody79answering your DM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody79 Posted 6 July , 2022 Share Posted 6 July , 2022 Mainly if he has any living relatives still around interested in knowing where it is or any kind of museum that would be interested plus be nice to know where his other medals ended up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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