Harold Atkin, RCAF of Leamington, Ontario

[daretodiscover]

Good evening folks,

I'm hoping someone can help me find the final fate of this man.

He flew in the RCAF in WWII and was shot down and taken prisoner in 1944. On the RCAF Casualty lists his next of kin was "Mrs. Harold Atkin (wife), 126 Erie Street South, Leamington, Ontario"

Can anybody add anything? I found the obituary another one of my subjects, also from Leamington, in the Windsor Star but no luck (so far) with Atkin.

Many thanks,

DTD

[cosmac]

Father Clarence Earl died in Dec 1954.  Report of his death in Leamington Post indicated his son Harold was living in Detroit Michigan.  This coincides with the record of Jacqueline (maiden name Davies) marrying Elston Wilson 23 Dec 1950 in Michigan.  Her parents are the same as given on her marriage certificate to Harold Atkins.  Harold and Jacqueline had a boy and a girl who both died - one stillborn and the other dying of pneumonia at just one month old.  Their deaths were in 1937 and 1940.

Added
Divorce granted between Jacqueline and Harold 28 Jun 1950 Macomb, Michigan.  No children from this union.

[*Sandra*]

A litle more back ground of Harold

http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1921&op=img&id=e002936885

1921 census Lambton East Ontario.

Clarence E Atkin   47
Annie Atkin   42
Pearl Lula Atkin   20
Harold Atkin   2 nephew.

marriage - Harold born 1917 Inwood, Ontario (bachelor) married 5 September 1936 London, Middlesex, Ontario. spouse Jacqueline Davies (spinster)
Father Clarence Atkin - Mother Anne Atkin.

Divorce in Michigan 28 January 1950 quoted above by cosmac confirms no children

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Canada Voters List 1945 Leamington shows Harold Atkins (in service)  C E Atkins (farmer) John Atkins (Gentleman) Elizabeth Atkins (student) Mrs E J Atkins, E J Atkins (florist)

Sandra

[daretodiscover]

Many thanks Cosmac and Sandra.

I'm starting to see why his fellow ex-POWs could never find him post-war. And they looked well into the 1990s.

I've just determined he was still alive as of 1959 as he claimed his POW reparations money from the Canadian government.

I don't have access to the SSDI for Michigan. Can anybody tell me if he shows up on that?

Many thanks again,

DTD

[*Sandra*]

An exact birth date would help, if he passed before then he might not appear on the SSDI.   The SSDI was up and running by 1962 ish in the USA.

Sandra

[daretodiscover]

Thanks, Sandra.

I've gone ahead and ordered his POW reparations documents from the LAC.

There will be a 1959 address on them so hopefully the trail can picked up then.

DTD

[daretodiscover]

I received Atkin's POW repatriation award papers today.

On March 17 1955, the commission sent a letter to Mrs Patricia Atkin, 15104 Crescentwood Avenue East, Detroit, Michigan. The subject heading is "H.A. Atkin". First time I see a middle initial so suspect a typo, or the first letter of his last name, as every other time his name is shown on these documents there is no middle initial.

The same address is given, in Atkin's hand, when he received his compensation later that year.

Hoping this opens some doors.

DTD

[bbart]

I don't know if this will help, or even if it is the right person:

Detroit directories
1954 - 58^* Atkins Geo. E (Nellie) die maker Kelly-Hayes 21129 Beechwood

1957 Atkins Harold (Patricia)  Tire Dealer 22469 Cushing E. Detroit

1958 Atkins Harold (Patricia A) slsmn Holzbaugh h 22079 Beechwood

*  Did not check earlier or later.

It could be that George is a son, or brother?  In one entry, his wife Nellie had the middle initial I.

Edit: the best fit match for the George is born 1917 in Detroit.... so at most, a cousin, and at the least, a coincidence they live on the same street?