Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson (Service Number: 8528235) was born in Hobart in 1988 and attended school at both Trevallyn Primary School and the Launceston Church Grammar School. His high-school yearbook from Launceston Church Grammar School records his ambition to be an Army man.
Corporal Atkinson joined the Army in 2007. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2009 and his dedication to his section was rewarded with his promotion to corporal in 2010, prior to their redeployment.
At 22-years-old, Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson commenced his first deployment to Afghanistan, serving in the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment with the Royal Australian Engineers. Richard was engaged in Operation Slipper when he was sadly killed, and another soldier seriously injured, by a roadside bomb in the southern Oruzgan province about 9.30am on Wednesday, 2nd February 2011. He was a dedicated soldier with long career aspirations.
Corporal Atkinson leaves behind his fiancée, Dannielle, to whom he was engaged only one month before his deployment and with whom he had planned a trip to Italy. He also leaves behind his parents, Ross and Kate; brother, James; and sister-in-law, Sumah, who are all, deservedly, so very proud of him.
On Saturday, in a memorial service at Tarin Kowt, Major David French spoke of Corporal Atkinson's 'cheeky nature and quick wit as well his dedication to his job and his professionalism in always leading from the front'. Major French said: Akka was never happier than when he was on the job and he was bloody good at it.
∼
They shall grow not old.
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
Memorial at The Australian War Memorial
Also commemorated at the Avenue of Honour, Yungaburra Qld
Cenotaph at Mapleton Cemetery
Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson (Service Number: 8528235) was born in Hobart in 1988 and attended school at both Trevallyn Primary School and the Launceston Church Grammar School. His high-school yearbook from Launceston Church Grammar School records his ambition to be an Army man.
Corporal Atkinson joined the Army in 2007. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2009 and his dedication to his section was rewarded with his promotion to corporal in 2010, prior to their redeployment.
At 22-years-old, Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson commenced his first deployment to Afghanistan, serving in the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment with the Royal Australian Engineers. Richard was engaged in Operation Slipper when he was sadly killed, and another soldier seriously injured, by a roadside bomb in the southern Oruzgan province about 9.30am on Wednesday, 2nd February 2011. He was a dedicated soldier with long career aspirations.
Corporal Atkinson leaves behind his fiancée, Dannielle, to whom he was engaged only one month before his deployment and with whom he had planned a trip to Italy. He also leaves behind his parents, Ross and Kate; brother, James; and sister-in-law, Sumah, who are all, deservedly, so very proud of him.
On Saturday, in a memorial service at Tarin Kowt, Major David French spoke of Corporal Atkinson's 'cheeky nature and quick wit as well his dedication to his job and his professionalism in always leading from the front'. Major French said: Akka was never happier than when he was on the job and he was bloody good at it.
∼
They shall grow not old.
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
Memorial at The Australian War Memorial
Also commemorated at the Avenue of Honour, Yungaburra Qld
Cenotaph at Mapleton Cemetery
Inscription
8528235 Corporal
R. E. Atkinson
1 Combat Engineer Regiment
2nd February 2011 Age 22
Upright Strong Courageous
Forever in our hearts
Forever in our thoughts
Richard so sadly missed
