ALLAN CREIGHTON AITKEN 

Allan Crichton Aitken was born in Birkenhead, in 1893, the son of Robert Taylor Aitken and Agnes Aitken. His father had also been born in Birkenhead, in 1859, as had his mother, in 1863, and the couple married in 1884. They went on to have 8 children, but 1 died. By 1911, Robert Taylor Aitken and Agnes Aitken were living at 52, Victoria Road, Birkenhead. Living with them were 6 of their surviving children: Florence Maud Aitken (born in 1886); Agnes Mary Aitken (born in 1889); Ethel Frances Aitken (born in 1891); Allan Crichton Aitken (born in 1893; Robert Taylor Aitken (Jnr)(born in 1895); and Percy Reginald Aitken (born in 1899). Robert Taylor Aitken (Snr) was then employed as a Clerk for a Ship Building Engineer. His eldest surviving daughter, Florence, was employed as a Draper’s & Milliner’s Assistant; his youngest daughter, Ethel, was employed as an Assistant in a Bodice Shop; whilst his eldest surviving son, Allan, followed in his own foot-steps, and became an Apprentice Clerk for a Ship Builder’s Engineer. Robert became an Apprentice Electrician in Ship Building Engineering, and Percy was still at school.

On or about the 18th March 1916, Allan Critchton Aitken enlisted into either the 2nd/6th or 3rd/6th Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment – then in training at Upstreet Camp or Blackpool respectfully. He gained promotion to the rank of Lance Corporal, and would almost certainly have been drafted to France in late 1916, or early 1917, where he would have been sent to an Infantry Base Depot, prior to being posted to the 1st/6th Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. Lance Corporal Aitken was killed in action on 20th September 1917. His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated by name only on Panel’s 31-34, The Tyne Cot Memorial, Passchendaele, Belgium.


Allan's name on Tyne Cot Memorial.


Family application form requesting Allan to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.

Allan Crichton Aitken’s medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.


Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.