Rupert Atkinson was born in
Shanghai, China, He was educated at
Orley Farm School,
Harrow, and at
Marlborough College, Wiltshire. He was enrolled at
Pembroke College, Cambridge in June 1914, On 2 December 1914 he received his commission as a temporary Second Lieutenant in the 15th Middlesex Regiment. His citation reads: :Temporary Captain Rupert Norman Gould Atkinson, General List and RFC. :For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer has done a large amount of successful artillery work, has taken part in many night bombing raids, and has continually distinguished himself by his fearlessness and determination in descending to low altitudes in order to attack hostile infantry and machine guns. On one occasion, also, he successfully attacked and drove down a hostile balloon. Between May and October 1918 while flying an
Airco DH.9 and serving with
98 Squadron RAF, and later with
206 Squadron RAF, Atkinson scored five aerial victories. After the end of hostilities he served with the occupation forces in
Cologne, Germany, On 7 March 1919, He was awarded
a bar to his DFC on 30 May 1919, and the
Croix de guerre from Belgium on 11 July 1919, both posthumously. ==References==