www.voicesofwar.co.uk
Life Story
Christopher was born in Melton Mowbray, son of James and Margaret
Atter (nee Plaskitt), of Melton Mowbray. His father James was a solicitor,
originally from Stamford, Lincolnshire and married Margaret in London in
1895. Shortly afterwards they must have moved to Melton Mowbray as his
elder brother James was born in 1897 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire,
he had two brothers - James Edward and David Lawrence, born in 1909.
Christopher also had two sisters Margaret Nowell, a schoolgirl, born 1902
and Dorothy May, born 1906. Both brothers enlisted together in August
1914 at Oakham School where they were educated. They had been at a
cadet training school when war was declared on 4 August 1914 and went
straight back to enlist with the Territorials. The brothers had consecutive
service numbers indicating they joined up together, and Christopher was
just 16 at the time. James was killed in action in 1916 (See James Edward
Atter). Both took part in a march from the drill hall to nearby Loughborough
which was well documented at the time.
Christopher was a keen sportsman at school, particularly enjoying football
and Rugby, playing for the school Rugby 15. This is something he also
continued during his military career, and along with his brother they helped
set up the local rugby club in their home town of Melton Mowbray.
He initially went out to France with the Leicestershire Regiment in February
1915 but after being wounded by shrapnel he was invalided home for a