P/O Atkinson 213 in 1940 a query on his first names.

[Russell]

Hello colleagues

P/O Harold Derrick Atkinson NO. 33418, is the normally accepted name of this pilot with 213 during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. Having just read the combat reports submitted by the Atkinson of 213 Sqn, and expecting to see them signed of as H D does anyone have any idea why most of them are signed off as H W Atkinson? Its not as though a D and a W can get mixed up. If this was one or two occasions then it could be accepted as a slip up, but not for all combat reports from May to August when H D Atkinson was killed on the 25th.

Regards

Russell

[alieneyes1]

London Gazette confirms "Derrick"

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../6657/data.pdf

as well as on his LG DFC citation:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../3862/data.pdf

Dave

[gedburke3]

Hi Russell
I noticed this as well.

If you look at all of his reports for 1940 you will notice that some are written in a different hand and these have H W Atkinson written in capitals. I presume that these were written up by an IO or someone else when Atkinson was being interviewed after landing.
The others are in his own writing and are signed. The signature can be interpreted as H W or H D, the D having a swirl in the bottom part of the letter.

Anyhow, it wasn't until his casualty report was released that I was completely convinced that H D was correct.
The report contains a letter from 213 Sqn's CO to Atkinson's parents and is clearly identified as H D Atkinson, other correspondence in the file also confirms H D Atkinson including a next of kin contact sheet.
regards
Gerry

[Russell]

Thanks Gerry and Dave. Interesting what variety there is in ORBs and combat reports, or the lack of these records for some squadrons.

Cheers

Russell

[Orwell1984]

Just to add two photographs of his grave with his full name are available here:
http://www.bbm.org.uk/AtkinsonHD.htm