Robert McNaught Aitken

Died of gunshot wounds to his legs on the 07/10/1918 at the 47th General Hospital, Le Treport. Wounds received near Heudicourt on the 21/09/1918 during the attack on the outer defences of the Hindenburg Line

The Battalion arrived in Le Havre aboard the SS "Caledonia" on the 15/08/1914. They were part of the 19th Infantry Brigade, 33rd Division when Robert Died of Wounds received on the 21/09/1918 near Heudicourt during the Battalions assault on the outer defences of the Hindenburg Line at dawn. The Battles of the Hindenburg Line,12th September - 12 October 1918 : A series of very large-scale offensive operations that advance to and break the Hindenburg Line system. Carried out by the First, Third and Fourth Armies these victories rank among the greatest-ever British military achievements. The German Army fights on but it is increasingly clear that their ability to do so is declining fast. Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and United States Divisions all play key parts. SEE PHOTOS x 5 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FOR SEPTEMBER 1918. The Battalion War Diary states the casualties on this tour were - 7 Officers Killed in Action, 9 Wounded, 37 Other Ranks Killed in Action, 23 Missing and 195 Wounded. One of those wounded was Robert. His death came late in the war as the Germans were in retreat. SEE PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 33rd DIVISION BOOK SEPTEMBER - EARLY OCTOBER 1918. The Battalion famously refused to play football or otherwise fraternise with the enemy on Christmas Day 1914. Robert (s/7715) enlisted in the Black Watch on the 11/01/1915 and was discharged on the 15/01/1915. The reason given was "not being likely to become an efficient soldier". See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Service Record x 3 (originally Black Watch), his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Mont Huon Military Cemetery, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge, Robert's Pension Records x 2, his Army Register of Soldier's Effects and his Service Medal and Award Rolls. Robert's grave inscription reads "NOT GONE FROM MEMORY OR FROM LOVE BUT GONE TO OUR FATHER'S HOME ABOVE". Finally, see photos for the 33rd Division Order of Battle x 14 (the Division he was with when he died), another Newspaper clipping from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser 19/05/1928, another photo of Robert's grave and 1 more kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg.