Peter05220035516 at 18:12, 4 March 2026

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{{Short description|British military officer, aviator and flying ace}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Edward Dawson Atkinson
|image=
|image_size=
|alt=
|caption=
|nickname= "Spider"
|birth_date= {{Birth date|df=yes|1891|11|10}}
|birth_place= [[Calcutta]], India
|spouse= Nancy Rowan (m. 1918 at Auld Kirk of Ayr)
|death_date= 24 June 1954
|death_place= Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow
|placeofburial=
|allegiance= United Kingdom
|branch= [[British Indian Army]] [[Royal Air Force]]
|serviceyears=
|rank= [[Second Lieutenant]] [[Squadron Leader]]
|unit= [[No. 1 Squadron RAF|No. 1 Squadron RFC]] [[No. 56 Squadron RAF]] [[No. 64 Squadron RAF]] 40th Pathans
|commands= [[No. 1 Squadron RAF]]
|battles= [[World War I]]
|awards= [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]]
1914 Star & Bar (Cpl. 35/Div. Sig. Coy); British War Medal; Victory Medal (Capt. R.A.F.); King Faisal Active Service War Medal
|relations=
|laterwork=
}}
'''Edward Dawson Atkinson''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|sep=,|DFC|AFC}} (10 November 1891 – 1934) was a British military officer, aviator, and a [[flying ace]] of the [[First World War]], credited with a total of 10 aerial victories while serving in three different squadrons. He would serve postwar in the [[Royal Air Force]] until invalided out due to ill health. He then turned to a business career.

==Early life==
Atkinson was the son of Joseph Henry Atkinson and Elizabeth Mary M'Carthy,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Families of French of Belturbet and Nixon of Fermanagh and Their Descendants |first=The Rev. Henry Biddall |last=Swanzy |year=1908 |page=124 |location=Dublin |publisher=Alex. Thom & Co. Ltd. |url=https://archive.org/stream/familiesoffrench00swan#page/124/mode/2up |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> and was born in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]], India, on 10 November 1891, when it was still part of the [[British Empire]].<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url= http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/ireland/atkinson1.php |title=Edward Dawson Atkinson |work=theaerodrome.com |year=2014 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> He became an officer in the [[40th Pathans]] of the [[British Indian Army]].<ref name="gracesguide">{{cite web|url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Aviators_Certificates_-_UK_1915 |title=Aviators Certificates – UK 1915 |work=gracesguide.co.uk |year=2012 |accessdate=11 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227004747/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Aviators_Certificates_-_UK_1915 |archivedate=27 December 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Flight364">{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1915/1915%20-%201024.html |title=Aviators Certificates |issue=364 |volume=VII |page=988 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=17 December 1915 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

==First World War==
On 12 December 1915, [[Second Lieutenant]] Edward Dawson Atkinson of the 40th Pathans was awarded Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate no. 2145 after training at the London and Provincial School, [[RAF Hendon|Hendon]].<ref name="gracesguide"/><ref name="Flight364"/>

On 25 January 1917, he was already a [[pilot officer]]; on that date, he was appointed [[flight commander]] and acting captain.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200187.html |title=Royal Flying Corps: Promotions |issue=426 |volume=IX |page=187 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=22 February 1917 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> Two months later, on 25 March, while serving in No. 1 Squadron on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]], he used a [[Nieuport]] to destroy a German [[observation balloon]]. He drove down two enemy planes in April, an [[Albatros D.II]] fighter on the 22nd and an Albatros reconnaissance craft on the 29th. He would not score again for over a year.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

Atkinson was reassigned to No. 56 Squadron, which was equipped with [[Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5]]as. On 3 May 1918, in conjunction with [[William Roy Irwin]] and Trevor Durrant, he destroyed a [[Rumpler]] in one dogfight, and drove another down out of control 20 minutes later. Atkinson was now an ace.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

A transfer to No. 64 Squadron quickly ensued. Still flying a SE.5a, Atkinson ran off a string of five more victories during the last week of May 1918. His final count came to a balloon and four enemy planes destroyed, and five more enemy planes driven down out of control while he was in France.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

On 2 July 1918, Atkinson was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for his exploits.<ref name="Flight498">{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%200764.html |title=Honours for the RAF |issue=498 |volume=X |page=762 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=11 July 1918 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> It would be announced in the ''London Gazette'' on 3 August 1918:
{{blockquote|A brilliant fighting pilot whose flight has proved very successful under his leadership, often in combats where the enemy formation was numerically superior. Capt. Atkinson destroyed single-handed five enemy machines during May, and previously, whilst serving with another squadron, he brought down two enemy aeroplanes and one balloon.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30827 |date=3 August 1918 |page=9198 |supp=y }}</ref>}}

==Post-war==
On 1 January 1919, Atkinson was awarded the [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=31098 |date=1 January 1919 |page=97 |supp=y |nolink=yes }}</ref> He remained in service during the postwar demobilization. On 14 September 1923, he was assigned to aviation duty in Iraq; records disagree as to whether he served with either [[No. 8 Squadron RAF]]<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1923/1923%20-%200587.html |title=Royal Air Force: Intelligence |issue=770 |volume=XV |page=587 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=27 September 1923 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> or [[No. 84 Squadron RAF]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1923/1923%20-%200705.html |title=Royal Air Force: Intelligence |issue=777 |volume=XV |page=705 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=15 November 1923 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

Shortly thereafter, on 1 January 1924, he was promoted to [[squadron leader]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1924/1924%20-%200013.html |title=Royal Air Force: Promotions |issue=784 |volume=XVI |page=13 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=3 January 1924 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> On 25 May 1924, he was given command of No. 1 Squadron in Iraq.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1924/1924%20-%200415.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=809 |volume=XVI |page=415 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=26 July 1924 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

He then returned to England; on 2 April 1926 he was posted to [[RAF Uxbridge]] as a transfer to [[Home Establishment]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1926/1926%20-%200335.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=907 |volume=XVIII |page=289 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=13 May 1926 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> He was still tasked as Commanding Officer of 1 Squadron before November 1926, when it was drawn down from Iraq in cadre status, and then returned to England; it is unknown whether this was a continuing appointment or a reappointment.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1933/1933%20-%200494.html |title=No.1 (Fighter) Squadron |first=F. A. de V. |last=Robertson |issue=1289 |volume=XXV |pages=890–891 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=7 September 1933 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

He was the commanding officer again (or still) on 11 April 1927,<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1927/1927%20-%200315.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=958 |volume=XIX |page=283 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=5 May 1927 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> in time to lead No. 1 Squadron for manoeuvres in late July and early August 1927.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1927/1927%20-%200574.html |title=Air Defence Manoeuvres |first=F.A. de V. |last=Robertson |issue=970 |volume=XIX |page=526 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=28 July 1927 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

On 2 January 1928, he was again posted to RAF Uxbridge.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1928/1928%20-%200013.html |title=Royal Air Force: Intelligence |issue=993 |volume=XX |page=13 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=5 January 1928 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> On 1 September 1928, he was posted to [[No. 21 Group RAF]] HQ, [[RAF West Drayton]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1928/1928%20-%200891.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=1030 |volume=XX |page=827 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=20 September 1928 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

On 1 August 1930, he was once again posted to RAF Uxbridge.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%201037.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=1131 |volume=XXII |page=981 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=29 August 1930 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

On 21 October 1930, Atkinson was placed on half pay, Scale A.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%201549.html |title=Royal Air Force |issue=1147 |volume=XXII |page=1471 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=19 December 1930 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref> He remained in this status until 16 March 1931, when he was restored to full pay and posted to [[No. 10 Group RAF]] HQ at [[RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus)|RAF Lee-on-Solent]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1931/1931%20-%200349.html |title=Royal Air Force: Intelligence |issue=1163 |volume=XXIII |page=325 |work=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=10 April 1931 |accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>

On 18 January 1932, Edward Dawson Atkinson was invalided into retirement from the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=33791 |date=19 January 1932 |page=423 |nolink=yes }}</ref>

On 29 March 1934, he was chairman of R. J. Barnett & Coley Limited in [[New Malden]], Surrey, when it was voluntarily liquidated. Atkinson was one of the two appointed liquidators.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34038 |date=3 April 1934 |page=2203 |nolink=yes }}</ref>

Nothing is known of him after that.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{wwi-air}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atkinson, Edward Dawson}}
[[Category:1891 births]]
[[Category:British World War I flying aces]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:1934 deaths]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War I]]

Edward Dawson Atkinson - Revision history

Peter05220035516 at 18:12, 4 March 2026