John Dunstan Atkinson was employed at the Plant Diseases Division of the DSIR Mount Albert when war broke out in 1939. His own father had been killed during WW1 and John, along with many other young scientists soon enlisted for active service. He embarked with the 7th Reinforcements in September 1941 and served in anti-tank and field artillery regiments in North Africa and Italy, attaining the rank of Major and was mentioned in dispatches.

On his return to New Zealand John resumed his career with the DSIR and in 1948 was appointed head of the newly formed DSIR Fruit Research Station and later overall director when this division merged with the Plant Diseases Division, remaining in this role until his retirement in 1974.

Reference:

E. G. Bollard. 'Atkinson, John Dunstan - Biography', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Sep-10

URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/5a24/1

John Dunstan Atkinson was employed at the Plant Diseases Division of the DSIR Mount Albert when war broke out in 1939. His own father had been killed during WW1 and John, along with many other young scientists soon enlisted for active service. He embarked with the 7th Reinforcements in September 1941 and served in anti-tank and field artillery regiments in North Africa and Italy, attaining the rank of Major and was mentioned in dispatches.

On his return to New Zealand John resumed his career with the DSIR and in 1948 was appointed head of the newly formed DSIR Fruit Research Station and later overall director when this division merged with the Plant Diseases Division, remaining in this role until his retirement in 1974.

Reference:

E. G. Bollard. 'Atkinson, John Dunstan - Biography', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Sep-10

URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/5a24/1