2nd Lieutenant Edwin Adlan Atkins Collection
- TxAM-CRS 1565
- Coleção
- 1915-1917
This collection consists of correspondence (25 letters and 1 photograph), all with original envelopes, with the bulk of them dating from March to October 1917 sent to E. A. Atkins, known as "Tommy" or Alan, or members of his family, whilst he was serving in the East Surrey Regiment as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France; also when recuperating in England, and then back at his home in South Chingford, Essex.
Several concern the English involvement with the disastrous mainly Canadian troop-led battle at Fresnoy in May 1917 (part of the Arras Offensive) at which Atkins was injured and subsequently hospitalized at VAD hospitals in Exeter and in Sidmouth; letters from France to Atkin's wife, detailing his injury to the head and shoulder; letters in reply to Atkins from the British Red Cross concerning his enquiries about other soldiers caught up in the battle; from fellow soldiers and parents of soldiers also injured and nurses in the hospitals where he was recovering; from his brother Arthur after hearing of his injury, also serving in the war, who send a photograph of himself, on the back of which he has written "Taken in Camp Alexandria, August 1917"; POW card sent from Münster, Germany, from a soldier of the 1st Battalion captured at Fresnoy, detailing Atkins bravery; official mimeographed letter rejecting Atkin's claim for indemnification, postmarked Oct. 1917. Also a Red Cross postcard on his arrival at hospital in Eastleigh (from Gallipoli), postmarked Oct. 1915 when Atkins was with the 7th Battalion Essex Regiment.