94732 Robert Ringrose Colston ATKINS, MC, 152 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

Lieutenant (acting Captain) Robert Ringrose Gelston Atkins, Royal Regiment of Artillery, (since killed in action), was awarded the Military Cross.
On January 21st, 1943, Captain R.R.G. Atkins was Forward Observation Officer with the leading troop of a battalion of the London Irish Rifles, when the platoon was attacking some hills North of Bou Arada.

Throughout the day this officer performed his duties with outstanding gallantry. At one period in the action, he found himself in a nullah with a platoon of the London Irish Rifles who had lost their officers and senior non-commissioned officers, and were being subjected to accurate and destructive mortar fire.

Captain Atkins immediately took charge, exposing himself, regardless of danger, to locate the mortar - putting heavy fire on it, and laying a smoke screen in order that the wounded could be evacuated.

Throughout the action, Captain Atkins showed determination, skill and resource, in addition to great devotion to duty.

Captain Atkins was born in Dublin.


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7643334&queryType=1&resultcount=2
Name Atkins, Robert Ringrose Colston
Rank: Temporary Captain
Service No: 94732
Regiment: The Ayrshire Yeomanry, 152 Field Regiment Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia)
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 23 September 1943
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/2

London Gazette:
24 January 1941
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35056/supplements/537

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2104561
Captain ROBERT RINGROSE GELSTON ATKINS, M C 94732, 152 (The Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regt., Royal Artillery who died age 23 on 25 January 1943
Son of Brigadier Robert Ringrose Gelston Atkins and Ena May Gelston Atkins.
Remembered with honour MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 15. G. 13.



See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852
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