James Aitken: Orwin & Millar Genealogy

Generation: 1

James Aitken was born on 23 Nov 1891 in 40 Balfour Street, Leith, Midlothian, Scotland; died on 19 Apr 1965 in Auburn, NSW. Australia.

Other Events:

Military Award: 1914 1915 Star
Military Award: British War Medal
Military Award: Victory Medal
_UID: C151F9D76B3C422CB2118DA936C5A5E57508
Occupation: 1901; Scholar
Residence: 1901, Lower Craigmaillng, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
Occupation: 5 Mar 1915; labourer
Residence: 18 Nov 1940, Nek Tia, Euston Rd, Auburn, NSW, Australia

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.

James married Mary Ella Hudson on 26 Jan 1922 in Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia. Mary was born on 15 Jul 1898 in Holbrook, NSW. Australia; died on 7 Feb 1986. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Children:

2. James Donald Aitken was born on 26 Aug 1922 in Homebush, NSW, Australia; died in Apr 1994 in Macclesfield, Victoria, Australia.
3. Maxwell Vane Aitken was born on 15 Feb 1925 in Auburn, NSW, Australia; died on 11 Mar 2004 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
4. Raymond Aitken

Generation: 2

James Donald Aitken

(1.James¹) was born on 26 Aug 1922 in Homebush, NSW, Australia; died in Apr 1994 in Macclesfield, Victoria, Australia.

Other Events:

Military Award: 1939 -45 Star
Military Award: A S M
Military Award: Defence Medal
Military Award: Pacific Star
Military Award: War Medal
Occupation: photo interpretor
_UID: 1FCC645BED23470C85151D1116A64ACAA530
Occupation: 18 Nov 1940; Junior Clerk
Residence: 18 Nov 1940, Nek Tia, Euston Rd, Auburn, NSW, Australia

Family/Spouse: Dara Veronica Blanchfield. Dara was born on 20 Apr 1924 in Lismore, NSW. Australia; died on 4 Apr 2012 in Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Children:

Maxwell Vane Aitken

(1.James¹) was born on 15 Feb 1925 in Auburn, NSW, Australia; died on 11 Mar 2004 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Other Events:

Military Service: Service Number - NX176094
_UID: EA5465C9E20346DDA893448C29B1E4C70460

Notes:

During WWII, Max saw active service with the Australian Army. He served with "Z Force" in Borneo. This was a top secret commando unit set up to raid behind the enemy lines, Japanese, in SE Asia.
About 1946 Max met Carmel Hill, at his brother, James's, wedding.
Max worked as a Painter, having his own business in Tamworth, NSW. When he left Tamworth he worked as a Renovator and Painter in Sydney.
Max and Carmel seperated in 1957 and were divorced in 1981.
Becoming estranged from his family, he was eventually found, by his daughter Jenni, in 2002, living at 6 Euston Road, Auburn, Sydney. This was just two houses away from where his parents lived many years before. This was too late to be reunited with Carmel as she died in VIC, on 7 Feb 2002.
By the time Jenni found Max he was very ill, suffering from fibrositis and constantly on oxygen.
At last, in Feb 2004, Jenni managed to get him into a nursing home in VIC so she could be close to him and help him with his illness. Max was flown down to Melbourne from Sydney, but unfortunately only lasted two weeks before he succumbed to his illnesses and died on 11 Mar 2004

Maxwell married Carmel Frances Hill on 15 Feb 1947 in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Carmel (daughter of Carl Johan Hill and Ruby May Brown) was born on 3 Jun 1925 in Rozelle, Sydney, Australia; died on 7 Feb 2002 in Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Children: