William Henry Isaac Atkinson was born on 22 April 1923, and raised at Minnedosa in Manitoba, later moving to Winnipeg.

He was promoted to petty officer in March 1944 and qualified as a pilot and received his wings in April and was commissioned Acting Sub-Lieutenant.

Promoted sub-lieutenant on 1 October 1944, he was posted to HMS Ravager for deck landing training with the Supermarine Seafire.

In January 1945, Atkinson's ship was part of the force gathered for Operation Meridian, air strikes on the Japanese held oil installations at Palembang on Sumatra.

During the first raid on Miyako airfield, Atkinson claimed his first victory over a Mitsubishi G4M Betty bomber, but he was only awarded a probable.

In June Indomitable was withdrawn for a refit, and Atkinson and his squadron were transferred to another fleet carrier HMS Formidable.

"[3] After the Second World War Atkinson transferred from the RCNVR to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

He then commanded the Officer Training School HMCS Venture before retiring from the navy on 1 September 1973.