Mack/Mike, from A District at War:
Arthur Atkinson – Died as Prisoner of War (cause unknown) 14th October 1918
Private Arthur Atkinson (Service no. 202296) served with the 2nd/5th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, 199th Brigade, 66th Division.
Arthur was born in Carrington and lived with his parents, William and Sarah Ellen Atkinson, of 17 Liverpool Road, Higher Irlam. He had two sisters Sarah Alice (born c. 1899) and Ethel (c. 1900). His parents later lived at 35 Addison Road, Irlam.
Arthur enlisted at Manchester and in February 1917 he arrived with his battalion in France. At some point over the next year and a half he was captured. He died as a prisoner of war on Monday, 14th October 1918, aged 20. It is known that he is buried within Erquelinnes Communal Cemetery, Belgium although the exact position of his grave is unknown. He is commemorated on a special memorial headstone in the cemetery. The following is inscribed on his headstone ‘The sweetest of memories are all that are left.’ Medal Entitlement: Pair.