Atkinson was the second son of the Rev. F. H. Atkinson of Jersey and Mrs Mary Edith Atkinson. He was born in 1874 and educated at
Victoria College,
Jersey (
Channel Islands). After experiencing some time in Australia, he joined the Borneo service in March 1898 and was appointed to be District Officer, Jesselton in January 1901. Mr. Atkinson was popular among the government and his colleagues. He was fondly known as "West Coast Atky" == Death ==