James Liddell Aitken

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 03/03/2015 - 11:01
First Name: 
James
Middle Name: 
Liddell
Last Name: 
Aitken
Date of Birth: 
Sunday, August 9, 1896
Mother's Name: 
Margaret (nee Liddell)
Father's Name: 
James Aitken
Date Enlisted: 
Saturday, July 3, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
19th Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Friday, May 25, 1973
Place of Death: 
Albion Park
Details: 

Private James Aitken (Service no. 2103) was born in Scotland and at the age of 14 travelled to Australia with his 18 year old brother Archie. They came to the Illawarra and resided with their uncle at Mount Kembla.

Enlistment documents indicate James spent 12 months with the 28th Light Horse Regiment before he enlisted in the AIF. He embarked with 4th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion on HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 30th September, 1915.

He served on the Western Front and while in the front line was wounded in action during the Somme fighting. A terrifying event ended his war. James was buried alive by a shell. He was evacuated to England a few days later with shell shock.

James was returned to Australia in April 1917 and discharged medically unfit on 22nd May, 1917. On 26th September, 1917 he married Bessie Sawtell and they resided in Tullimbar and raised a family.

James Liddell Aitken died on 25th May, 1973 and is buried with Bessie in Albion Park Cemetery. His brother Archie also served under the name of Archie Aitken Millar.

James' service is commemorated on the Albion Park Anglican Church Honour Roll.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, AITKEN J L

Links

Comments

john wilson (not verified)

Sun, 26/04/2015 - 07:52

james was my grandfather
I have an image of him in Egypt when he was stationed there
happy to send a scanned copy to you if you can provide an email address

wollongongcityl...

Wed, 29/04/2015 - 16:21

Hi John,

Thanks for your comment. You have the option of uploading the image yourself, if you'd like. Please see How to contribute to the Illawarra Remembers site, a llink to which you'll find on the right hand side of the site, under the heading 'Helpful Information'.

Otherwise, you can contact us at IllawarraRemembers@wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Many thanks.

Rik Todd (not verified)

Wed, 21/10/2020 - 17:24

This is my first cousin, twice removed. The Illawarra Remembers page gave me lots of information about him.
Related to my liddell family.