Ernest Clive Atkins

Colonel Ernest Clive Atkins CB TD DL JP
E.C. Atkins CB TD DL JP
Born	13 February 1870
Died	9 January 1953
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Colonel
Commands held	2/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	CB TD
Other work	High Sheriff of Leicestershire and Justice of the Peace

Colonel Ernest Clive Atkins CB TD DL JP (13 February 1870 – 9 January 1953) was Battalion Commander of the 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment during World War I, High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1931 and Chairman of the Leicestershire Territorial Association in 1938.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Biography

Ernest Clive Atkins, the eldest son of Arthur Atkins of Middlefield, Hinckley, was born 13 February 1870.^[1][6] He was educated at Bedford Modern School between 1882 and 1886.^[6][7][8][9]

Atkins was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on 22 April 1892.^[10] He was made Captain in 1896, Major in 1903 and commanded the newly formed 4th Battalion as Lieutenant-Colonel until 1909.^[10][11] In 1914, as Lieutenant-Colonel, he raised and commanded the 2/5th Battalion from 1914 until 1917,^[12] including during the Easter Rising of 1916.^[1][10] After 1917, Atkins commanded battalions of the East Surrey Regiment and the Middlesex Regiment.^[10]

Atkins was a military member of the TA Association of Leicestershire from 1908, Vice-Chairman between 1934 and 1938 and Chairman from 1938 for which he was made CB.^[10] In 1940, he was appointed first Honorary Colonel of the 2/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.^[13]

Atkins was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire in 1928^[14] and High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1931.^[3]

In 1900 Atkins married Agnes Pidcock, the daughter of Reverend Benjamin Pidock of Easton, Hampshire.^[1] They had three sons and one daughter. Atkins died on 9 January 1953.^[1][4]

References