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Location
At Christ Church, Totland, Isle of Wight IWM War Memorials Archive Record Link : War Memorials Archive Reference 40900 Historic England Listing Status Christ Church, Totland does not appear to be Listed by Historic England. Description Pale brown and dark brown marble plaque, with blue and green inlays. Cross crosslet with motto "IN CRUCE SALUE". |
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Memorial
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Inscription
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MAJOR ARCHIBALD BRUCE AITKEN M.C., R.E. BORN AT TOTLAND BAY KILLED NEAR BAGHDAD AUGUST 4TH 1919 AND BURIED THERE AGED 26 YEARS "Greatly gifted and beloved. Faithful unto death" Further Information Son of Charles Aitken and Bethia Edmonstone Aitken (née Edmonstone-Montgomerie), of Inglefield, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight. Born 1893, Totland Bay. Census Details : 1901 : Charles and Bertha [sic] Aitken, with their children including Archibald, aged 8, are at Inglefield, Totland Bay. Charles Aitken is a Retired Stockbroker. 1911 : Archibald Bruce Aitken, aged 18, is a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, Kent. Service Details : Major Archibald Bruce Aitken, Royal Engineers, attd. 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners Appointed 2nd Lt, Royal Engineers, 19th July 1912 (London Gazette Issue 28634 published on the 9 August 1912.) Awarded Military Cross (London Gazette Issue 29550 published on the 14 April 1916.) 2nd Sappers and Miners. Capt. A. B. Aitken, M.C., R.E., to be actg. Major while employed as Superintendent of Park. 26th Oct. 1918. (London Gazette Issue 31332 published on the 9 May 1919.) Died : 4 August 1919, aged 26. Buried at : Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq. CWGC record ... Commemorated on these Memorials : Totland War Memorial Christ Church, Totland, War Memorial County War Memorial, Carisbrooke Castle Archibald Aitken's name is listed in the Isle of Wight Football Association Roll of Honour.
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, April 14, 1916 Page 5 Several Isle of Wight men were mentioned in General Sir John Nixon's despatch on the operations in Mesopotamia. They include Major H.G. Thomson, the popular commanding officer of the 1/5th Hants (Howitzer) Battery, R.F.A. (T.), who was twice mentioned; Lieut. R.L. Flux (son of Capt. F.G. Flux, J.P., of Ryde), and Sergt. W. Medway, of Freshwater, all belonging to the same battery; and Lieut. A.B. Aitken, R.E., son of Mr. C. Aitken, of Totland Bay. Major Thomson, who was slightly wounded some time ago, is now assumed to have been ill, for Mrs. Thomson has received a telegram stating that he is out of danger and progressing well.
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, July 7, 1916 Page 4 The engagement is announced of Lieut. Archibald Bruce Aitken, R.E., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Aitken, Totland Bay, and Frances Dorothea, only daughter of Engineer Captain Tompkins, R.N., and Mrs. Tompkins, Broomhouse, Helensburgh, N.B. It is not known whether Archibald Aitken and Frances Tompkins married
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS
September 20, 1919 ISLAND OFFICER KILLED BY A SEPOY Mr Charles Aitken, of Inglefield, Totland Bay, has received the following letter from Col. W. Capper, Controller of Officers' Casualties at the War Office:- 'I am directed by the Military Secretary to inform you that a cable, dated 15th inst., has been received at the War Office from the base at Basra stating that at a court of enquiry held to investigate the circumstances of the death of your son, Captain (acting Major) Archibald Bruce Aitken, Royal Engineers, who has been reported to you as 'killed in action' on the 4th August, 1919, facts have been elucidated which now show that his death was caused by a Sepoy, of the 9th Company, 2nd Sappers and Miners, who ran amok on the 4th August, 1919. In communicating this sad information to you the Military Secretary is desired by the members of the Army Council to convey their deep sympathy to you in your sad bereavement.' It is reported that there were several other casualties in this sad affair. Capt. Aitken acted in the bravest possible manner to meet the emergency, and in trying to save the lives of others, lost his own. Profound sympathy is felt for his bereaved ones. Acknowledgments Caroline Dudley of Freshwater and Totland Archive Group for newspaper research Links : London Gazette 1912 London Gazette 1916 Awarded Military Cross |
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Page last updated : 7th September 2014 (added further newspaper report)
Page last updated : 7th September 2014 (added further newspaper report)