Editing Harry Atkinson (section)

==Military service==
Atkinson was made a [[sergeant]] of the [[Taranaki Regiment|Taranaki Volunteer Rifle Company]] in February 1859{{sfn|Penn|1909|p=8}} and then commissioned as a [[Captain (armed forces)|captain]] in March.{{sfn|Penn|1909|p=13}} He led No. 2 Company throughout the [[First Taranaki War]] and saw action at the Battles of [[Battle of Waireka|Waireka]], [[Battle of Mahoetahi|Mahoetahi]] and Kaitake.<ref name="DNZB Atkinson"/> He was promoted to [[Major (rank)|major]] in February 1864.{{sfn|Penn|1909|p=61}}