Sir John William Maxwell Aitken, 2nd Baron Beaverbrook: Orwin & Millar Genealogy

Generation: 1

Sir John William Maxwell Aitken, 2nd Baron Beaverbrook was born on 15 Feb 1910 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; died on 30 Apr 1985 in Westminster, London, England; was cremated in 1985.

Other Events:

Military Award: Czechoslovak War Cross
Military Award: DFC
Military Award: DSO
_UID: F111829CC6A64937902BDEC91A843A6EB4EE
Residence: 2 Apr 1911, 23 Parkside, Knightsbridge, London, England
Immigration: Aug 1924, Quebec, Canada
Occupation: 2 Aug 1924; student
Immigration: 31 Aug 1926, Southampton, Hampshire, England
Residence: 1932-1933, 13 Cleveland Road, St James London, England
Emigration: Dec 1935, Cherbourg, France
Immigration: 21 Dec 1935, New York, New York, USA
Occupation: 21 Dec 1935; director
Residence: 1937, 15 Portman Square, Westminster, London, England
Occupation: 29 Sep 1939; Flying Officer, 601 Sqdn
Residence: 29 Sep 1939, Tower House, Orpington, Kent, England
Occupation: 1945-1950; Tory Member of Parliament for Holborn
Residence: 1955, Wellbottom Cottage, Givons Grove, Epsom, Surrey, England
Immigration: 24 Apr 1959, Hamilton, Bermuda
Residence: 24 Apr 1959, 12 Fleet Street, London, England
Immigration: 9 Jun 1962, New York, New York, USA
Residence: 9 Jun 1962, 12 Fleet Street, London, England
Residence: 30 Apr 1985, 33 Crown Reach, Grosvenor Road, London, England

Notes:

Educated at Westminster then Pembroke College Cambridge. And joined the RAF, Auxillary, in 1935
In 1939 "Max was off flying passenger planes in America, and delivering war planes to the Republicans in Spain."According to Michael Foot in Gourlays "The Beaverbrook I Knew" Max had aquired "the exceptional experience which made him the best equipped pilot in the world when the catastrophe finally came. He was as handsome as Apollo, as swiftly moving as Mercury, but newspapers would have to wait for his attention until after he had helped win the Second World War."
When WWII started he became a Pilot Officer in the RAF. During the Battle of Britain he was a day fighter pilot.
On 28 Nov 1939 Max was recommended for a "Mention in Despatches" in connection with the low flying aatack on Borkum. This recognition was not approved.
On 18 May 1940, whilst leading a section of aircraft on patrol over Brussels, this officer attacked one of 12 Heinkel 111s which was finally seen to be losing height with one of its wings on fire with black smoke pouring from the other.
The next day, 19 May 1940, when leading a section of the Composite Squadron 601 and 145 on patrol in Cambrai-Douai sector, a large number of Heinkel 111 and Junkers 87 aircraft, escorted by Messerschmitt 110s, were sighted. Squadron Leader Aitken attacked and succeeded in destroying a Heinkel. After following the aircraft down he sighted a Junkers 87 flying at 100 feet which he attacked.
He was put forward for an immediate DFC, on 27 Jun 1940, by Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, Air Officer Commanding 11 Group. This was approved on 29 June 1940
During the Battle of Britain he was a day fighter pilot in No. 601 Squadron. In 1941he became Wing Commander and assumed charge of No.68 Squadron flying Blenheims, converting to Beaufighters, in a night fighter squadron
In 1941-2 he commanded a night fighter squadron. He became a Group Captain, commanding a Strike Mosquito Wing in Norwegian waters, in 1943.
On 5/6 March 1944, piloting Beaufighter LZ330 F, he destroyed two JU.52s.
Returning to the UK he then commanded the Banff Strike Wing (Coastal Command Mosquitos) in Norwegian waters, in 1943
He was mentioned in despatches and won a DSO, a DFC and the Czechoslovak War Cross, which he was presented with by Dr Benes then President of Czechoslovakia.
He survived the war but his marriage did not and Max and Cynthia were divorced in 1944.
In 1945 he was elected Tory Member of Parliament for Holborn, holding the seat until 1950
On the death of his father, the 1st Baron Beaverbrook, on Jun 9th 1964, John became the 2nd Baron. This title he disclaimed, for life, on 12th June 1964.
He held directorships in the Express (Beaverbrook) group of newspapers, Trafalgar House Publishers and Associared TV. Elected Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick in Canada.

Immigration:
Departed on the Empress of France from Southampton

Immigration:
Departed on board the Aquitania from New York

Emigration:
Departed onboard the Bremen for New York

Immigration:
Departed Cherbourg,France onboard the Bremen

Immigration:
Arrived on Flight Eagle 1010 from New York

Immigration:
Arrived on flight BOAC BA 501/687 from London

Buried:
Ashes scattered at sea, Specifically: off Cowes on the Isle of Wight

John married Cynthia Helen Glencairn Monteith on 26 Aug 1939 in Portman Square, London, England. Cynthia (daughter of Col Hugh Glencairn Monteith, DSO OBE and Dorothy Huntley Dunell) was born in 1916; was christened on 23 Nov 1916 in Holy Trinity, Brompton, London, England; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Ursula Jane Kenyon-Slaney [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Children: