The AIF Project

Robert AITKEN

Regimental number2528
Place of birthInvercargill, New Zealand
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationHorse driver
Addressc/o Mrs Bailey, Thomson Road, North Fremantle, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation34
Next of kinMother, Mrs Marie Young, Smithton, Tasmania
Enlistment date29 May 1916
Place of enlistmentPerth, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name43rd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/60/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 9 November 1916
Regimental number from Nominal Roll2528B
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll12th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Unspecified


Work near Proyart 23-26 August 1918.
Recommendation date: 30 August and 3 September 1918

FateReturned to Australia 1 June 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'During operations east of PROYART from 23rd to 26th August, 1918, Private AITKEN while acting as a platoon runner under very heavy Machine Gun fire and concentrated artillery fire kept continuous communication between his platoon and the company commander and also with the company on the flank. Though finally completely exhausted by continuous work he continued his work and showed the greatest readiness to carry each message; his work was of great value in keeping communication over a very extended front.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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