The AITKEN Brothers
Archibald AITKEN
Private 2800
19th Battalion
Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)
He served as
A.A. MILLER
James Liddell AITKEN
Private 2103
19th Battalion
Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)
Cap Badge of the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)
Gravestone in BREWERY ORCHARD CEMETERY,
Bois-Grenier, Nord, France.
ARCHIBALD is listed on the ANZAC Memorial, Australia.
ARCHIBALD AITKEN was born at 94 Barrhill Rows, Twechar, Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, on 28 Apr 1893.
Their paternal grandparents were Archibald Aitken, an Underground Manager, and Helen Kyle.
Their maternal grandparents were James Liddell, a Pitheadman, and Lillias Bell.
ARCHIBALD AITKEN was 5 years of age.
The family are listed at 36 Barrhill Rows, Twechar, as follows:
James Aitken, age 41, Widower, Coal Miner, b Dalzell
Lillias Aitken, age 17, Daughter, Housekeeper, b England
Margaret Aitken, age 11, Daughter, Scholar, b England
ARCHIBALD AITKEN, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Kirkintilloch.
Lillias Liddell, age 66, Widow, b Airdrie.
Lillias Liddell, age 30, Daughter, b Kilsyth.
James Liddell, age 26, Son, Coal Screen Engineman, b Kirkintilloch.
David Liddell, age 23, Son, Coal Pitheadman, b Kirkintilloch.
Agnes Aitken, age 13, Granddaughter, Scholar, b England [their sister].
JAMES AITKEN, age 4, Grandson, b Kirkintilloch. [ARCHIBALD's younger brother].
AGNES LIDDELL AITKEN or MARSHALL and family are listed at 5 Barefield Street, Larkhall, as follows:
James Marshall, age 40, Head, Coal Miner, b Larkhall
Agnes Marshall, age 23, Wife, b England
Janet Marshall, age 12, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall
Agnes Marshall, age 11, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall
John Marshall, age 9, Son, Scholar, b Larkhall
Peter Marshall, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Larkhall
James Aitken, age 3, Nephew, b Kilsyth
Andrew Aitken, age 8 months, Nephew, b Bothwell.
He became Pte 2800 in the 19th Bn Australian Imperial Force.
His Service Record exists and it shows that he initially signed up as "Archie Aitken Miller". (I do not know why).
The official military records now reflect that he was "ARCHIBALD AITKEN, served as ARCHIBALD AITKEN MILLER".
His correct identity was discovered on 2 Nov 1915, and the records amended.
At the time of enlistement he was a miner, age 21 years and 4 months.
He was 5ft 6 1/4 inches tall, weighed 138 lbs (9st 12lb), had brown hair and hazel eyes.
His Next-of-Kin was his father James Aitken, 45 Castle Square, Bothwell, Lanarkshire.
His aunt was Mrs Aitken, Kimble Heights, Kimble, NSW, Australia.
His postal address was c/o P. Johansen, Flinders Street, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Bois-Grenier is a village 3 kilometres south of Armentieres on the D222.
The Cemetery is on the east side of the village, on the north side of the D222 road to La Chapelle D'Armentieres. The cellar of the brewery was used as a Dressing Station and the cemetery was started in the orchard nearby in November, 1914. It was sheltered from enemy observation by ruined houses and continued in use until January 1918. Brewery Orchard Cemetery contains 339 Commonwealth burials of WW1. There are 4 WW2 burials and 5 German war graves.
It reads:
"MARSHALL - In loving memory of my dear husband, JAMES MARSHALL, who died suddenly, 24th May, 1916; also, my dear brother, Private ARCHIBALD AITKEN, No 2800, Australian Inf. Brig., both sadly missed. - Inserted by his wife and family, 4 Barefield Street, Larkhall.".
After WW1 ended, the Australian Government made great efforts to record the personal details and history of every Australian who served and died in WW1. A 'Circular' was sent to each Next-of-Kin for completion. Those 'Circulars' have been retained by the Australian government and can be seen on the ANZAC War Memorial website (see link above).
I am attaching the 2 pages of the 'Circular' completed by his father James Aitken, 45 Castle Square, Bothwell, Lanarkshire. Scotland.
Immigration Record - S.S. "Commonwealth" - London to Sydney
Close-up
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) | |
| Name: | AITKEN, ARCHIBALD |
| Rank: | Private |
| Service No: | 2800 |
| Date of Death: | 8th May, 1916 |
| Age: | 23 |
| Regiment/Service: | Australian Infantry, A.I.F., 19th Bn. |
| Grave Reference: | IV. A. 2. |
| Cemetery: | BREWERY ORCHARD CEMETERY, BOIS-GRENIER |
| Additional Info: | (served as MILLER). Son of James and Margaret Aitken, of 45 Castle Square, Bothwell, Lanarkshire. Native of Stirlingshire, Scotland. |
| Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) | |
| Surname: | AITKEN |
| Forename: | Archibald |
| Rank: | Pte |
| Service Number: | 2800 |
| Place of Birth: | Twechar, Kirkintilloch |
| Date of Death: | 8th May, 1916 |
| Theatre of Death: | France |
| Cause of death: | Killed in Action |
| SNWM Roll: | AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE |
| Unit Name: | In or attached to AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE |
| Other detail: | 19th Bn. (also MILLER, Archie Aitken) |
Newspaper clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 26 May 1917.
First page of the Attestation Service Record of ARCHIBALD AITKEN, alias MILLAR with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Page 42 of ARCHIBALD AITKEN's Service Record showing the award of The 1914-15 Star Medal; The Victory Medal; and The British War Medal
First page of the Attestation Service Record of JAMES LIDDELL AITKEN with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Page 20 of JAMES LIDDELL AITKEN's Service Record showing the award of The 1914-15 Star Medal; The Victory Medal; and The British War Medal.
[Note the comment 'Buried by a shell']
This page is extracted from the ANZAC War Memorial.
Page 1 of the ANZAC War Memorial 'Circular'
Page 2 of the ANZAC War Memorial 'Circular'
'old' CWGC Commemorative Certificate
'new' CWGC Commemorative Certificate
Location:
Glenview Public Park,
Hamilton Road,
Larkhall, Lanarkshire, Scotland
ML9 1DB
The above photos were captured by Walter Smith at the 2016 Remembrance Ceremony.
The above winter snow photos were captured by Walter Smith.
This photo was captured by Lynne McKenzie Lochrie of Larkhall.
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