| Occupation before Enlistment |
|
| Next of Kin |
| Mrs R. Kawha (mother), Ford Street, Opotiki, East Coast, New Zealand |
|
| Body on Embarkation |
| Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), 11th Reinforcements |
|
| Embarkation Date |
| 21 February 1944 or 31 March 1944 |
|
| Cemetery Name |
| Florence War Cemetery, Italy |
|
| Memorial Name |
| Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories |
|
| Biographical Notes |
| Private Atkins was one of 28 Battalion's 24 casualties in the Florence campaign. The advance on Florence was taking place in July 1944. 23 Battalion, 28 Battalion and 21 Battalion were making their way through the countryside around the road from Castellina to San Casciano and on to the Signa crossing about six miles west of Florence. The country was hilly, wooded, thickly populated with numerous buildings to serve as strongpoints for the Germans. The weather was fine and hot and the roads dusty - which signalled to the enemy any movement during the day. |
|
| Sources Used |
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Nominal Roll No. 13 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1944 to 31st March, 1944)
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission. URL: http://www.cwgc.org
- Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Nominal Roll No. 7 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1942 to 31st March, 1942)
- Soutar, M. (2008). Nga tama toa = The price of citizenship : C Company 28 (Maori) Battalion 1939-1945. Albany, N.Z.: David Bateman.
|
|
|
|
