Leading Aircraftman Brian Atkins
1436367, 2788 Squadron, RAF Regiment
Leading Aircraftman Brian Atkins of 19 Hougoumont Road, Waterloo, was a promising young half-back but after progressing through the youth ranks, just missed out on his senior debut when he was posted overseas in the very week he had been selected to play for the Everton first team.
He had volunteered for the RAF and served initially in India, before joining the Mediterranean campaign in Italy where he saw action as a gunner in 2788 RAF field squadron. During an enemy bombing attack on Portella he was wounded and died from his injuries on 22 April 1944 aged only twenty-two. He is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in Monte Cassino Cemetery.