Robert Gordon AITKEN, b.9-08-1899

[Danchaslyn]

ROBERT GORDON AITKEN, born 9 August, 1899, West Linton, Scotland, died Edinburgh, 1953.

Son, of Sir Robert and Lady Caroline Aitken.

We have information on his parentage and two siblings, a brother, and a sister, but are seeking any help possible, in regard to his life?

Any help, however trivial it may seem, will be much appreciated.

[CaroleW]

Have you checked SP for a marriage and for any children born of that marriage

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

[geowin]

Robert Gordon b West Linton 9 August 1899; d Edinburgh 14 September 1953. Son of Sir Robert and Lady Caroline Aitken (nee Lobb) of the Imperial Bank of India. Married (1) Margaret Carfrae 19 April 1923; (2) Irmintraude Adelheide Deutscher 2 July 1937; (3) Margaret Turnbull Kyle Stoddart 23 October 1948. The daughter by his first wife is my sister-in-law, there is a possible daughter by his second wife b 1937.

[Danchaslyn]

Yes, thank you, CaroleW.

And, Geowin, thank you.  Would you know, if Robert Gordon Aitken was born at his paternal grandparents home, John and Grace Aitken, in West Linton? or was he born elsewhere, in West Linton?

Also, did he attend the local primary school? and which school or place of higher learning he may have attended?

[Danchaslyn]

Family history implies that ROBERT GORDON AITKEN, was a 'Lieutenant in the Cavalary in India', from round about age, 18, i.e. +/- 1917.

It's very confusing to attempt to unravel which horse regiment Robert would have served with, as his "dates" fall within such changes that occurred at the time in the armies of India.

There was an Indian Army, which served until the time of partition, 1947. This had been formed, 1903, from the absorption of the three previous armies.  The presidency armies of the Bengal Army, the Madras Army and the Bombay Army.

From 1903 -1947, in India, the army consisted of two entities, the Indian Army itself and The British Army in India.

If Robert did arrive as a cavalry man round about 1917, or 1918, which army would he have served with?

[Danchaslyn]

Is it likely that ROBERT GORDON AITKEN, being born in West Linton, Scotland, and raised there, would automatically have entered to serve, in a Scottish regiment perhaps?

What was the joining age for recruits towards the end of the First World War?  As Robert Gordon Aitken was aged 18 years at the end of the First World War, might he have served in WW1 at all, or would he have been part of the army in India?

[geowin]

'Merchiston Castle School Register up to 1913' shows Robert Gordon Aitken attended 1913. His older brother, John Ellis entered the same school in 1910 and won the Hope Prize for modern languages and was in the football and cricket teams (1913?). The address is given as 33 Findhorn Place where the brothers would have lived with their Aunt Elizabeth.
Robert Gordon was in the regular army and went to Sandhurst. He served in the Indian cavalry 13th lancers and another regiment (?). He rescued people from a fire which affected his lungs and he was sent to Osborne House (Isle of Wight) to recover. The Geddes Act (?) brougth army cuts and although his father could have renewed (i.e. bought) his commission, he didn't return to India. In WWII he was in the Pay Corps, stationed in York. He was Bursar at Murchiston School for a time and an Art Teacher. "He spent money like water and was alway running up debts."

[Danchaslyn]

Geowin

What fascinating information, thank you!

Merchiston Castle School is in Edinburgh of course, as is the address, where the two brothers, lived with their Aunt Elizabeth Aitken?  Did their sister, Marjory Grace stay at the same address, and attend school in Edinburgh to?

How amazing that sometime after Robert Gordon served in India, he returned to his Merchiston Castle School, as Bursar, and an Art Teacher.  Do you have these dates, please?

[Danchaslyn]

Geowin

Thank you also for the information on Robert Gordon Aitken's army career.

So he would have signed up, presumably, to enter Sandhurst, straight from Merchiston Castle School?

Thank you for details of the regiment in which he served, i.e. the Indian Cavalry 13th Lancers, and could the other regiment have been the 7th Light Cavalry?

I'm intrigued by Sir Robert Aitken's not having renewed (bought) his son, Robert Gordon Aitken's commission, after the Geddes Cuts.  Was this because Robert Gordon didn't wish to return to India, or his father didn't wish to renew his commission?

Was Robert Gordon recognised in any way for his heroic rescue of the fire victims?  Was Osborne House a royal residence at this time?

And to think he served in WWII as well!