Victory Medal.
4971 Pte. W. Aitken, 2nd Dragoons.
William Aitken was born in Kirkleston, Edinburgh, and enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) in 1900. He served in the Boer War and received the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State" and "Transvaal".
On the outbreak of the First World War, the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) were stationed at York. They crossed to France in August 1914 as part of the 5th Cavalry Brigade and took part in the retreat from Mons and the cavalry action at Cerizy on 28th August, when two squadrons of the Greys and the 12th Lancers charged a force of dismounted German cavalry. It was a rare opportunity for the British Cavalry to use their speed and surprise to full effect, cutting down between 70 and 80 of the enemy. Throughout August and early September, cavalry continued to play a vital role in reconnaissance. On September 8th, a party of Scots Greys discovered a sizeable enemy force comfortably eating their breakfasts and were able to steal away and bring down accurate artillery fire on the unfortunate Germans.
On the outbreak of the First World War, the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) were stationed at York. They crossed to France in August 1914 as part of the 5th Cavalry Brigade and took part in the retreat from Mons and the cavalry action at Cerizy on 28th August, when two squadrons of the Greys and the 12th Lancers charged a force of dismounted German cavalry. It was a rare opportunity for the British Cavalry to use their speed and surprise to full effect, cutting down between 70 and 80 of the enemy. Throughout August and early September, cavalry continued to play a vital role in reconnaissance. On September 8th, a party of Scots Greys discovered a sizeable enemy force comfortably eating their breakfasts and were able to steal away and bring down accurate artillery fire on the unfortunate Germans.
By November the trench lines had been formed and the Scots Greys found themselves in the vicinity of Kemmel. It was around here that William Aitken lost his life on 3rd November 1914. His Medal Index Card says "died of wounds" while "Soldiers Died in the Great War - Part 1" lists him as killed in action. He was one of the 34 other ranks who died serving with the Scots Greys in 1914. William is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery (Nord) about seven kilometres from Kemmel Hill and is remembered on the Kirkliston War Memorial.
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