| Regimental number | 1703 |
| Place of birth | Poplar, London, England |
| Other Names | Harry Richard |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | c/o B S Anderson, Mt Eccles via Leongatha, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19 |
| Height | 5' 7.5" |
| Weight | 132 lbs |
| Next of kin | Sarah Aiken, 78 Tents Road, Plaistow London, England |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Leongatha, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 14th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 46th Battalion |
| Fate | Discharged in the United Kingdom |
| Place of death or wounding | Vange, Essex, England |
| Age at death | 32 |
| Place of burial | Woodgrange Park Cemetery, London, England |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Wife: Violet Belinda AIKEN, 'Terori', Ravenscourt, Vange, Pitsea, Essex, England |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Discharged in England as permanently unfit, 14 January 1918 (gun shot wound, left foot). War service: 2 years 348 days Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Wife writes regarding possible other contacts for further information: 'I cannot say definitely. I have letters still from his friends at Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia, but I think [the above] information will be sufficient. One of the finest men who ever lived was my husband, and a long sufferer from his war injuries. 10 years after the Great War he died & was nursed the last 18 months night & day in our little home here by myself after he had been in many hospitals & sanitariums in France and [the] United Kingdom. I am proud to be his widow but regret that because I live in the mother country I have since 1932 had 9/- a week stopped from my war widow's pension. I am told it is the exchange rate that is the cause of this. It is a struggle to live in these times. I have brought my daughter up to the age of 21 years. She, like her father, has made the most of her opportunities, & at the age of 17 years was secretary to the Staff Manager of one of the largest factories in Essex; has had 5 different positions all of which she has resigned to better herself. Silver cups etc she has won for her popularity etc. Now Mr Heyes, I don't think I've lacked my duties to my husband in any way. Do you think you can help me in Australia to get justice returned to me as regards my pension? I appreciate my husband's name being erected on the "Hall of Memory" immensely, but what about those left behind?' |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 32 |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, AIKEN Henry Richard |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
