Robert Atkins MC

Robert Atkins and his twin brother, Geoffrey, were born in 1927 in India where their father was serving with the Punjab Regiment. Both were educated at Rugby School. Commissioned into the 8th Gurkha Rifles in 1944, Robert’s diary records his involvement during Indian Partition. After Independence, he returned to England joining a British regiment. In 1950 he joined the 6th Gurkha Rifles in Malaya and spent the next eight years fighting Communist terrorists, earning the Military Cross. Two years after marrying Anabel in 1956, Robert retired from the Army and they moved back to England, settling in Kent. A successful career in international commercial property followed. Robert finally retired aged 83. Robert and Anabel have two daughters, Celestine and Vicky. A former Army Boxing champion, he has pursued an active lifestyle, with many friends and interests, notably gardening and art.