The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. F P J Atkins

Frederick Peter John Atkins joined the RAF on the outbreak of war and trained as an Air Gunner. He was posted to 141 Squadron with Defiants at Turnhouse in early July 1940. The squadron was then sent south and found itself in action off Dover on 19th July. The German pilots, from III/JG51, were by now aware of the Defiants' deficiencies and caused heavy losses, four of the nine Defiants being shot down.

Atkins aircraft, L7015, was shot down into the Channel and both men were killed. The pilot, P/O R Kidson, was never found but Atkins' body was washed up on the French coast and buried in Boulogne Southern cemetery.

He was 26 years old.

Atkins is also commemorated by a road name in a housing development opposite Biggin Hill airfield.