Military Medal for police officer’s son

Awarded for gallant conduct on the field of battle

A Stirlingshire police officer learned that the Military Medal had been awarded to one of his four sons serving with the Colours.

Sgt Donald Aitken, Gordon Highlanders, wrote to his father, Constable Donald Aitken, explaining that he was presented with the ribbon for the medal by his commanding officer at a parade on October 3, 1916.

The medal was awarded for “gallant conduct” on the field of battle on August 18, 1916 but it was not clear exactly how the 22-year-old sergeant came to be honoured.

Before the war, Sgt Aitken was under-manager at Lawson’s Ltd, drapers, Stirling. He enlisted a few days after the outbreak of the conflict and went to France after four months’ training.

He was wounded at Hill 60, south of Ypres, in spring, 1916, and admitted to Norwich Hospital.

Having lost hearing in his left ear, he was put on home defence duty but asked for permission to return to the Front and was sent out with the rank of sergeant.

His three brothers serving in the Army were: L/Cpl Finlay McNab Aitken, Highland Cyclists Battalion; Driver John G Aitken, Royal Field Artillery and twin of Robert, and Cpl AJ Aitken, Highland Light Infantry.

Their father was a member of Stirling Burgh Police before joining the county constabulary. A few years earlier he was stationed in Whins of Milton.

Meanwhile, 100 years ago this week, a ceremony was due to take place in Stirling’s Council Chambers to honour two brave fighting men from the town.

Set to receive presentations from the `Heroes Fund’ for their distinguished conduct were Regimental Sergeant Major Robert Bertram DCM, 11th A&SH, and Petty Officer Robert Macdonald DSM. Sgt Major Bertram, a regular soldier with 23 years’ service, had for several years been stationed at Stirling castle.

He received the accolade for “consistent good work and zeal throughout”.

Petty Officer Macdonald was honoured for his conduct while serving with the Naval contingent in Flanders early in the war.

When in charge of a gun covering Belgian troops, he succeeded in blowing up the chief magazine of the German artillery. He continued to work under heavy fire after his contingent had been reduced to three men, all of whom were wounded. He himself received no fewer than 14 wounds.