Percy Atkins, Hero of WWI

My grandfather was Percy William Atkins. He served Canada in WWI at the battles of Ypres, Passchendaele, and Vimy Ridge.

I, and our grandson, Vince, bear his middle name.

On Remembrance Day each year, his name is the one I think about. “To you, from failing hands, we throw/The torch: be yours to hold it high.”

May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands in WWII. My uncle Jack fought for Canada on the European front. I hold high the torch of Canadian freedom and values that my grandfather and uncle and others fought for in WWI and WWII.

Potter Atkins

Percy’s nickname was “Potter.” Our family called him that, but no one could remember how he got that nickname. The only memory I have of him was a Sunday afternoon walk. For some reason He died in his early 60s of a heart attack when I was five.

Percy immigrated from London, England to Canada with his family in 1905. His mum had some connection with William Booth of the Salvation Army.

Mr and Mrs Percy Atkins

As a teen, Percy found work with Kodak Canada in Weston, a suburb of Toronto. When Canada entered WWI, he signed up to serve Canada with many fellow “Kodakers.”

Our family shared these stories abut not until May 3rd did we find his record of service in the Canada War Records. It was a profound moment. The stories were more than memories. They were facts.

Percy was a Private with the 124th Battalion out of Toronto, a newly formed battalion. They sailed to England in 1916 and he was sent to France. He served in the battle of Ypres and was gassed at Passchendaele. God spared his life, and he returned home, married in 1919, and worked for Kodak for three more decades.

The men of the 124th had unique skills. They were fully trained as infantry soldiers, and then learned the skills of pioneers and engineers. Understanding infantry tactics while performing pioneer duties no doubt reduced the number of casualties suffered by the pioneers.

Wall of Heroes

The Kodak Canada distribution centre on Eglington Avenue in Weston was nicknamed Kodak Heights. Management created a Wall of Honour for all employees who served in WWI and later, in WWII. Percy Atkins’ name was on that wall. My mum worked for Kodak, as did her brother, and my father. They took pride in seeing their dad’s name among the heroes.

Mum told us her dad never spoke of the war. I can only imagine his wartime experiences through the eyes of historians and fellow soldiers’ accounts. He suffered some form of trauma, and his mental disposition was not always sunny.

Kodak Heights, 1915

I treasure a Bible that General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, signed and gave to my grandfather’s family before they left on their journey to Canada. Percy’s mum signed it and gave it to him on December 7, 1910. Sadly, religion disappeared from his life by 1918. He was married in the Anglican Church and the next time he was in church was for his own funeral.

Heroes Today

My grandfather died suddenly of a heart attack in his early 60s. He was like so many young Canadians who sailed off to The Great War and returned with invisible wounds. They toughed it out.

110 years later, Canada is searching for it’s identity. The heroes of today are those who bravely fight against disinformation, and stand up for truth,  justice, and kindness. As Christians, our devotion to Jesus is best lived out in our culture, not insulated against it. The local church is still the hope of the world.

Thank you for reading. Do you have a relative who served in WWI or WWII? Please join the conversation and post a comment below.

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