Jesse Marson Atkin

Jesse Marson Atkin was born in 1892 at Selston and was the son of Henry a signalman and Fanny Atkin née Auckland of New Westwood, Jacksdale. His father Henry was born in 1852 at Loughborough, his mother Fanny Auckland was born in 1851 at Sedgebrook, Lincolnshire, they were married in 1876, their marriage was recorded in the Newark Registration district, they had a further child a daughter Bertha Annie born 1898 at Selston. In the 1911 census the family lived at New Westwood Jacksdale Nottinghamshire and were shown as Henry Atkin 59 yrs a signalman, he is living with his wife Fanny 60 yrs and their children Jesse Marson 19 yrs a student and Bertha Annie 13 yrs a scholar.

He attended Queen's Walk and Mundella Schools Meadows, Nottingham and then obtained a B.A. (London). He was a school master at Bournemouth.

Second Lieutenant Jesse Marson Atkin was awarded a commission in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment Special Reserve on 7th May 1913 and landed in France on 25th October 1914. Attached 3rd Bn Worcestershire Regiment he was killed in action on 7th November 1914, having no known grave his names is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial Panel 7

Obituary published 10th December 1914 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- Lieutenant Jesse Marson Atkin, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, attached 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action on 7th November 1914. His photograph was published on 10th December 1914. Obituary published 8th November 1914 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “ATKIN. – In loving memory of Lieut.J. M. Atkin, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action November 7th, 1914, Ploegsteert, Belgium. There is the field of honour, he bravely took his place, and found and died for the [glory] and the honour of his race. – Father, mother, brothers, and sisters.” Mundella Magazine, Christmas 1918, ROH: Jesse Atkin, 2nd Lieut, Sherwood Foresters Article published 11th December 1914 in the Nottingham Daily Express :- MUNDELLA SCHOOL. “Tribute to Old Boys who Died for Their Country. “Another year of excellent and effective educational work was terminated yesterday [10th December 1914] at the Mundella School, Nottingham, the occasion being marked by the annual assembly of parents and scholars at the distribution of prizes won during year. Mr. A. Middleton presided over a crowded attendance, and Mrs. Field, wife of the vicar of St Mary's, distributed the prises. “The old scholars have made a noble response to the country's call, so that it was fitting that in his annual report the headmaster (Mr. J. A. Jones) should have taken the opportunity of paying tribute to his former students. “Speaking of the war, he remarked: “I am glad to say our old boys generally have answered the call of duty, and there are at least 200 who have joined the colours since the outbreak of war. We know of three who have already lost their lives in fighting for their country. One, Jesse Atkin, whom many of you here knew well, a lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action in Belgium on November 20th. He was a fine fellow in every way, and we sympathise with his parents, but we feel proud of him and of the sacrifice he made for his country. “Sacrificed a Professorship. “Another old scholar,” said the headmaster, “was Edward Rushton Cook, [a] corporal in the Coldstream Guards, who was killed in action, while Alfred Day,of the Royal Engineers, died of his wounds at Boulogne about three weeks ago. One old boy declined a professorship in English literature at Rangoon University [4] for a lieutenancy in the army. “Altogether, our old boys are worthily upholding the traditions of their country and the honour of their school.” (Applause.)” Above obituaries and article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918