T/5827304 Corporal Ronald Atkins
Suffolk Regiment / Royal Army Service Corps
1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, and War Medal
FAMILY
Ron was born on the 19th May 1921, and had at least a one sister and one brother. He is pictured standing behind them in the photo below (click to enlarge).
His brother served in the Royal Artillery during WW2, and is shown in a few photos in uniform below, and with his unit (second from right – front row). Unfortunately, without census information, it is impossible to put a name to him, or find details of his service.
Enlistment
6ft tall Ron enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment on the 24th October 1938. He was 17 years and 5 months old. The usual age to serve the colours was 18, but 17 was allowed with parental consent.
On the 17th February 1939, still six months prior to the outbreak of war, he transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps to serve as a driver. He was placed in a unit called “Connaught Squad”. He does not appear on the 1939 register. This register was taken at the outbreak of war, listing all civilians on the night of 29th September 1939. Serviing military were not included.
He sent a postcard home to his sweetheart, Margaret, showing him with his with “His Gang”, and is seen pictured above as a private – back row third from the left (click to enlarge). He is also pictured in the right-hand photo kneeling in front of some of his squad.
From then until the 18th June 1944, he saw home service only. He undertook numerous courses, including driving, small arms training and fire fighting.
Below, you can see Ron pictured, more jovial this time with his friends in Connaught Squad, Royal Army Service Corps. In the first he is front and centre, and in the second – front row far left. Dressed different to the others in both. The first he sent home with a funny message on the reverse side.
He is pictured below wearing sergeant stripes, probably sometime prior to being mobilised to head accross the English Channel. On the 18th June 1944, twelve days after D-Day, Ron arrived in France. Little is known of his movements there, but he evidently went to Belgium at some point, as he sent home a Christmas card that year to Margaret (shown below). As well as a photo with the trucks.
Whilst on a brief home leave pass, he married Margaret Eileen Frances, from Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He is shown below on the wedding day.
He spent a year and 194 days overseas, returning on the 28th December 1945. After a short amount of home service, he demobilised and transeferred to the “Class Z Reserve” on the 20th January 1946. After almost 8 years, Ronald Atkins was once again returned to civilian life. Evidently, he didn’t impress as a senior NCO (non-commissioned officer), as his rank on discharge is listed as corporal.
