ATKINSON W
ATKINSON, William
Regiment: Hawke Bn Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Rank: Able Seaman
Number: R/4259
Died: 21 March 1918
Aged: 23
Buried/ Memorial: Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Address: West Street, Hoole
Chester Chronicle 6 April 1918
A SEALAND CLUB FOOTBALLER KILLED
“Many Cestrians will regret to learn of the death from wounds in action of William (“Billy”) Atkinson, Royal Naval Division, late of West Street, Hoole. He died in a Casualty Clearing Station in France, on March 21st. The deceased was well known as a local football player of great promise, and was one of the stalwarts of the Sealand Football Club. Before joining this club he had helped Chester Reserves occasionally, and was a popular member of the All Saint’s Club. He was about 24 and was on the staff of Messrs. John Summers and Sons Ltd., Hawarden Bridge Steel Works, Shotton. His loss will be keenly felt by a wide circle of friends, and their sympathy goes out to his widowed mother.”
The 1911 Census shows William as a 17-year-old clerk at a corrugated iron works living at 18 West Street with father Samuel and mother Lucy.