James Aitken

1891 - 1965  (73 years)

• Name	James Aitken
  Born	23 Nov 1891	40 Balfour Street, Leith, Midlothian, Scotland   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Military Award	1914 1915 Star  [2]
  Military Award	British War Medal  [2]
  Military Award	Victory Medal  [2]
  Occupation	1901  [3]
  	Scholar
  Residence	1901	Lower Craigmaillng, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland   [3]
  Occupation	5 Mar 1915  [4]
  	labourer
  Residence	18 Nov 1940	Nek Tia, Euston Rd, Auburn, NSW, Australia   [2]
  _UID	C151F9D76B3C422CB2118DA936C5A5E57508
  Died	19 Apr 1965	Auburn, NSW. Australia   [1]
  Person ID	I8363	My Big Tree
  Last Modified	5 Apr 2011

  
  

  Father	James Lind Aitken,   b. 5 Mar 1867, The Dubs, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland ,   d. 3 Feb 1938, Asylum, Larbert, Stirlingshire, Scotland  (Age 70 years)
  Mother	Ann Eliza Aitken,   b. 28 Mar 1863, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland ,   d. 14 Nov 1937, Kenbog Farm, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland  (Age 74 years)
  Married	30 Jun 1890	Harelaw Cottage, Gladsmuir, East Lothian, Scotland   [1]
  Family ID	F2765	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary Ella Hudson,   b. 15 Jul 1898, Holbrook, NSW. Australia ,   d. 7 Feb 1986  (Age 87 years)
  Married	26 Jan 1922	Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia   [1]
  Children	1. James Donald Aitken,   b. 26 Aug 1922, Homebush, NSW, Australia ,   d. Apr 1994, Macclesfield, Victoria, Australia  (Age 71 years)   2. Maxwell Vane Aitken,   b. 15 Feb 1925, Auburn, NSW, Australia ,   d. 11 Mar 2004, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia  (Age 79 years)   3. Living
  Last Modified	17 May 2008
  Family ID	F3209	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Went to Australia when he was 17. He received the nickname Wogga because as a young man he lived for a while in Wogga, NSW. Whilst in Wogga a person made fun of his Scottish accent. And so this ended up in a brawl which lasted over 1 1/2 hours. His opponent ended up the worse for wear. James served with the Australian Infantry Force (AIF) joining D Coy 17th Batt 5th Infantry Brigade, on 2 Mar 1915. After 2 months of training he embarked at Sydney for England, on the HMAT "Themistocles" on the 12 May 1915. Seems to have suffered a lot from sickness as he was transferred to hospital with dysentry, on the 26 Aug 1915. Rejoined his unit on 5 Sep 1915 Promoted to vice Corporol 24 Oct 1915. Promoted Corporal 5 Dec 1915. Disembarked in Alexandria on 9 Dec. Embarked at Alexandria 17 Mar 1916 and disembarked 23 Mar 1916 in Marseilles. Appointed vice Lance Sergeant 10 Aug 1916, promoted to Sergeant 19 Aug 1916. Attended 2 Aust. Divisional School of Instruction, Flesselles, France. Rejoined his Bn. on 15 May 1917. He was in hospital in France, from 20 Sep 1917 until 25 Sep when he rejoined his Bn. But 6 days later he was back in hospital, this time in Belgium until on 20 Oct when he was transferred to 39th General Hospital, Havre. He was discharged on 28 Nov 1917, rejoining his Bb, in France on 9 Dec. 1917. On 5 May 1918 he was selected to attend OTC in England. On 7 Jun 1918 on completion of course he was appointed Cadet. In a confidential report it states that he was "a good type of cadet. Has worked well. Should make a good officer. On 28 Feb 1919 he was a 2nd Lt. in Havre. Returned to Australia from England on 28 May 1919. Awarded the 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. After returning from the First World War he eventually worked with Arnotts biscuit company. When Mr Arnott saw the size of him he suggested that he turn out for his Rugby Union team, Western Suburbs. This at the age of 28. He was afraid that if he did not join the team he would be sacked. Went on to become a more than useful player. Jim lived at Auburn, NSW until he was hospitalised before he died, still at Auburn.

  
  

• Sources

  [S77] Terry Stewart (Reliability: 3). [S208] Military - NAA, Australia., ( National Archive Australia . http://www.naa.gov.au.), Military Record; accessed 20 Jul 2010 (Reliability: 3). [S16] 1901 Census (Reliability: 3). [S208] Military - NAA, Australia., ( National Archive Australia . http://www.naa.gov.au.), Military Service; accessed 20 Jul 2010 (Reliability: 3).