Harold Derrick Atkinson

Harold Derrick Atkinson was born on 19 August 1918 at Wintringham in Yorkshire. After schooling at Aysgarth and Shrewsbury, he entered the RAF College at Cranwell in September 1937, completing his cadetship in July 1939 and receiving a permanent commission. He joined No. 213 Squadron, flying Hawker Hurricanes, and in May 1940 went with the squadron to Merville to support the campaign in France and the Dunkirk evacuation. Over a few intense days he proved a formidable fighter pilot, destroying or sharing in the destruction of numerous German aircraft, including Messerschmitt Bf 110s and 109s and Heinkel He 111s. For these successes against often superior numbers he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, gazetted on 25 June 1940. He fought on through the opening of the Battle of Britain. On 25 August 1940 he was shot down in combat over the Channel near Warmwell and killed, aged 22. His body was recovered three days later and buried at Market Weighton Cemetery, Yorkshire.