67th (South Hampshire) Regiment - Officers Mess Menu Stand by Orr of Madras, 1880

Captain Richard Frederick Atkinson (1849-1886) was commissioned into the 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment in 1867 and was promoted Lieutenant in 1871. Under the Childers reforms of 1881 the 67th became the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment with whom he served in India, and saw active service in the the Second Afghan War, 1878-80 (medal & 2 clasps, mentioned in despatches). He afterwards served Burma where he was killed in action at Salin on 31 July 1886. The Madras Pioneer reported: ‘The Death of Captain Atkinson’ - ‘Information from independent sources gives a fuller account of the recent affair at Salenmyo, in which Captain Atkinson of the Hampshire Regiment lost his life. It appears that the detachment at Salenmyo, a mere handful of men taken from the Liverpool Regiment and the 2nd Bengal Infantry, was surrounded on the 28th ultimo by armed bands, and though these were attacked and driven off, they returned eventually to their po-nitions and could not be dislodged. A telegram was received at Mandalay on the 30th from Yenangyoung announcing the state of affairs and asking for re-inforcements and a fresh supply of ammunition. Accordingly a party, consisting of 50 men of the Hampshire 50 Bengal Infantry was immediately despatched to the assistance of the post. Arriving on the scene the little force attacked the Burmans and dispersed them with considerable loss, but at the cost of the life of Captain Atkinson who was hit by a shot from jingal and two Europeans severely wounded. Captain Atkinson was known as an excellent officer, and his loss will be severely felt in the regiment. The news from the Chinwin side to-day is entirely satisfactory, though communication with the Tammu force has not yet been actually opened.’