Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Herbert Atkin, a bricklayer, born 1862 in Long Eaton, Derbyshire and his wife Emma Atkin (nee Edwards, married in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district), born 1875 in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, Wilfred was born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Castle Donington, his siblings were, Florence Ada, born on the 2nd February 1893 in Castle Donington, Charles Herbert Henry, born on the 23rd December 1895 in Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, Hilda Alice, born in the 2nd quarter of 1898 and Sylvia Gertrude, born in the 4th quarter of 1899, the latter two siblings were both born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Derby Road, Sandiacre, Shardlow, Derbyshire. Wilfred’s father died in the 2nd quarter of 1902 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district, age 39. In April 1911 Wilfred was employed as a labourer and was residing in the family home at Kings Mills, Castle Donington, together with his step father, Joseph Ault, a woodman, born 1855 in Osgathorpe, Leicestershire, his mother Emma Ault (Formerly Atkin, married in the 1st quarter of 1909 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district) and siblings, Florence, a hosiery embroiderer, Alice, Sylvia, a schoolgirl, Beatrice Mabel, a schoolgirl, born on the 17th November 1901 in Shardlow, and his half blood siblings, Dorothy Atkin, born in the 3rd quarter of 1904 and Joseph Reginald Atkin, born on the 7th July 1907, the latter two siblings were both born in Castle Donington, John William Ault, born in the 3rd quarter of 1909 and Harold Ault, born on the 14th August 1910, the latter two half blood siblings were both born in Castle Donington. Wilfred also had another half blood sibling, Ivy E. Ault, who was born on the 14th September 1915 in Castle Donington. Wilfred was officially registered at birth with the surname spelling of his name as Adkin, but throughout his life the spelling of Atkin was used.
Wilfred enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 16th December 1914 in Loughborough, and was allotted the service number 3539. He gave his age as 22 years. He gave his present address as The Green, Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire.
He confirmed that he had previously served with the 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, and had been discharged on the ?/?/??
His medical examination recorded that he was 6 feet - inches in height, his chest measurement as 37 inches to 39 inches, his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Emma Atkin, St. Ann’s Lane, Castle Donington.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. 16/12/14.
Posted. 5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/12/14.
Embodied Service. Pte. 16/12/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. (Paid). 24/7/15.
Wounded in action. Gunshot wound thigh – severe. 28/9/15.
Admitted. Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich. Gunshot wound left thigh and forearm. 30/9/15.
Amputation of left forearm and thigh. 3/10/15.
Died. 5.00am from shock and effects of haemorrhage. 1/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 16/12/14 – 24/6/15. 190 days.
France. 25/6/15 – 29/9/15. 97 days.
Home Service. 30/9/15 – 1/11/15. 33 days.
Total Service. 320 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.
Wilfred’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twenty pages, of which only nine pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in extremely poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 27-30 Sep-15 - Battalion in Brigade Reserve. Distribution: “A” and “D” Company’s KRUISSTRAAT. “B” Company and Headquarters RAILWAY DUG OUTS. “C” Company DEEPING DUG OUTS. Work parties found for FOSSE WAY.