ATKINSON Richard Penny

Richard's parents and 2 older siblings boarded the "Waroonga" at London, England on 05 April 1887 and arrived at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 01 June 1887. They made their way to Buderim Mountain where they grew bananas, and later moved to Cooroy, where they worked a small crop farm.

Richard Atkinson was fifth child of Richard Atkinson and Phoebe Dawson. He was raised and educated in the Gympie and Cooroy area. He was working at Cooroy as a labourer before enlisting for the Great War at Brisbane, Queensland on 11 February 1916. Richard was described as 5 feet 9 inches (175.3cm) tall. He weighed 150 pounds (68kg) and had a medium complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. Richard noted his religion as Church of England. He was a single man and listed his father, who was living at Cooroy, Queensland at the time, as his next of kin. He stated he had been rejected from joining prior to this due to measles.

His initial training was undertaken at Thompson’s paddock, Enoggera and then attached to 8 Company 31 Battalion. On 16 August 1916, Private Richard P. Atkinson of 31 Battalion embarked Brisbane, Queensland aboard the HMAT “Boorara” to serve his King and country. He disembark Plymouth, England on 13 October 1916 and proceeded to 8 Tng. Bn. (Training Battalion) at Folkestone. In early November, Richard was hospitalised where he stayed for a couple of weeks. He marched in to 3 C.D. (Command Depot) at Hurdcott on 20 November before heading back to 8 Tng. Bn.

On 17 December 1916, he proceeded to France aboard the “Golden Eagle.” He marched in to 5 A.D.B.D. (Aust. Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples before heading out to his unit. Richard joined his battalion on 26 December 1916. In June 1917, whilst attached to 5 Div. H.Q. (Divisional Head Quarters), he was admitted to 12 Gen. Hosp. (General Hospital) at Rouen, suffering his first bout of Pleurisy. After several occurrences of illness, he was transferred to England to be admitted to 1 Sthn. Gen. Hosp. (Southern General Hospital) at Stourbridge, seriously ill with pleurisy.

Richard remained in England convalescing until 01 November 1917, when he was embarked England aboard the H.T. “Anchises” for his return to Australia. Richard arrived at Australia on 03 January 1918 and he was discharged from the A.I.F. medically unfit on 07 February 1918. Richard was admitted to St. Helen’s Hospital South Brisbane where he died on 25 October 1918 from meningitis. Richard’s family believed that he was gassed in France but his medical records do not reflect this.

"The Queenslander" of 28 July 1917 in the 326th list of Killed and Wounded states as ILL : Richard Penny Atkinson of Cooroy.

Cooroy Cenotaph, Memorial Triangle, Diamond Street, Cooroy;

Cooroy District Honor Roll (Supreme Sacrifice), Cooroy Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy;

Buderim Mountain Roll of Honour Board (names taken from photograph of the original board);

Buderim Mountain Roll of Honour Board, Buderim War Memorial Hall, Corner of Main & Church Streets, Buderim;

Buderim Tennis Club Members' Memorial Trees (from the Chronicle 30th May 1919);

Maroochy Shire Honor Roll, Shire Chambers, Bury Street, Nambour;

Nambour (Maroochy Shire) Roll of Honor Scroll, Private Collection; Nambour (this scroll was available for sale to the public after the war) (on twice - second time with a * [died]).