Accession Number | H06045 |
---|---|
Collection type | Photograph |
Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain |
Studio portrait of 625 Private (Pte) James Murray Aitken. An accountant from Kalgoorlie, WA prior ...
Description
Studio portrait of 625 Private (Pte) James Murray Aitken. An accountant from Kalgoorlie, WA prior to enlistment, Pte Aitken embarked with F Company, 11th Battalion from Fremantle on HMAT Ascanius on 31 October 1914. Later serving at Gallipoli he was promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant. Subsequently serving in France he was promoted to Lieutenant and was wounded in action but remained on duty. He was later awarded the Military Cross “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in handling his own platoon with great skill and determination…” On 10 August 1918 he was killed in action and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.