Born in Waters Upton, Shropshire County, England 1897, one of four surviving brothers, one died in infancy.    Eric served in the Great War with the Royal Engineers. His brothers Robert, Clifford, and William all enlisted on the same day in September of 1914. The fourth brother, Major Cecil Atcherley, enlisted afterwards. Eric served in France, entering the country on 26 Aug. 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 29749), 12 Sep. 1916. Eric also served in Italy in the Alps.

The passenger list for the steamship Empress of Britain, departing Liverpool 11/04/1922 for St. Johns New Brunswick, show Eric Atcherley, age 29, and his brother Cecil, age 27, both intending to reside permanently in Canada. The ship arrived 19/04/1922. Eric did stay in Canada, however, Cecil returned to England.

Eric married Esther Lauise (nee Cowley) in Windsor, ON 19/02/1927. CDN 23/02/27.

In June of 1940, Eric enlisted in Windsor, ON. at the age of 45. After nine months of training in Windsor, he was assigned as a guard at the Gravenhurst  Camp ( in 1940 it was known as – Camp C for enemy aliens, it would later be Camp 20) internment camp. TT 29/05/41. Eric was reported as being stationed in Mimico, ON., and on furlough in Tilbury. TT 29/11/41, In July of 1941, Eric was a Corporal at Camp Borden. Eric was reported home on furlough for New Years TT 22/01/42. In June of 1942, was home on leave from Espanola, ON. TT 28/06/42. Eric was again on a two week leave in January of 1943. TT 14/01/43.

Eric was again on a two week leave in January of 1943. TT 14/01/43. The CDN 10/03/43 VG-Port Arthur is spending a few days with his wife.  On furlough TT13/04/43.  The TT 29/04/43 reported that Sgt. Atcherley had been sent to British Guiana, South America for duty with the Veteran’s Guard.

In April of 1944, this veteran of the Great War was home on three weeks leave after eight months service in British Guiana (in 1966 it became independent as Guyana located between Venezuela and Suriname). CDN 4/01/44.

The CDN 30/01/45 reported that Sgt. Atcherley was serving in the Veteran’s Guard at Port Arthur was on leave to visit home 

An obituary appeared in the Chatham Daily News for Eric 22 June, 1984.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

TT (29-05-1941), TT (29-11-1941), TT (22-01-1942), TT (14-01-1943), TT (13-04-1943), TT (29-04-1943) (W-RH), two in the Chatham Daily News, and from Tilbury and District Historical Society.

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