Muchty Remembers

Born: 4 February 1892, Auchtermuchty.

Son of William and Jessie Aitchison, Low Road, Auchtermuchty.

Army Number: 201300

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: 1st/5th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Died: Died of wounds, 22 November 1917. Aged 24.

Buried: Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Grave ref: C.5.

War Memorial. Church Plaque. Church Roll. Photograph.

 

Colin Aitchison was born on 4 February 1892, at Crosshills, Auchtermuchty, Fife, the son of William Aitchison, born 1864, Cameron, Fife, foundry furnace man and Jessie Gray Dunn, born 1863, Auchtermuchty. They had been married on 18 November 1887 in Auchtermuchty. Her mother was Janet Dunn born in Auchtermuchty, 1829. In 1881 William Aitchison was at Shale Work Cottage, Kilrenny. In 1891 he was a furnace man, working with Ferlie & Son, Fife Iron Works, Auchtermuchty, and was living at Crosshill, Auchtermuchty. All his children, Janet, born 1889, Colin, born 1892, William Buna, born 1897, and James, born 1899, were born at Crosshills, Auchtermuchty.

In 1901 William Aitchison was living in the Low Road, with his wife and four children, Janet, born 1889, Colin, born 1892, William Buna, born 1897, and James, born 1899.

In 1911 William Aitchison, an iron furnace man, working for Ferlie & Son, Fife Iron Works, Auchtermuchty, was living in a three roomed house in the Low Road, two houses away from the end of the Low Road, with his wife Jessie and three children, Colin, 19, butcher, William Dunn, 14, beam and scale maker, with John White & Son, and James, 11, scholar. Janet, born 1889, had died.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low Road, Auchtermuchty.                                                      Crosshills, at the Low Road junction, Auchtermuchty.

William Aitchison was the son of Colin Aitchison, born 1823, Newburgh, Fife, quarryman in 1871, and Agnes, born 1828, Strathmiglo, Fife. William's siblings were James, born 1857, St Andrews; Isabella, born 1864, Kilrenny; Colina, born 1866, Kilrenny and Elizabeth, born 1868, Kilrenny.

 

C Aitchison, Auchtermuchty, appears in the Fife News Almanac for 1912, with Auchtermuchty Dramatic Club, in a group photograph of the performance of "The Rivals".

 

Colin Aitchison enlisted in December 1914 in Cupar, Fife, and served with 1st/5th Battalion Princes Louise's (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders).

1st/5th Battalion embarked on 1 June 1915 from Plymouth for Gallipoli via Alexandria, Egypt. The Battalion landed at Cape Helles on 3 July 1915. It was evacuated on 8 January 1916 from Gallipoli and in February 1916 took up duties defending the Suez Canal.

Colin Aitchison sailed from Devonport on board Megantic on 18 January 1916.  He joined 1st/5th Battalion on 12 February 1916 in Egypt. He was promoted unpaid Lance Corporal at Kantara on 6 May 1916, and received full pay from 16 May. He was promoted Corporal on 7 February 1917 and received full pay from 6 April. He was wounded in action on 16 August 1917, receiving wounds to his neck and back. He was admitted to Port Said General Hospital on 15 September.

CASUALTIES - On Wednesday Mr William Aitchison, Low Road, had a telegram, intimating that his eldest son, Corporal Colin Aitchison had been severely wounded. Colin volunteered early in the war, and has seen much service in the East. FIFE NEWS.

Corporal Colin Aitchison died of wounds at Port Said on 22 November 1917.

CASUALTIES - Corporal Colin Aitchison reported dangerously wounded a fortnight ago died in hospital on Thursday, 22nd November. Colin was the eldest of three brothers all serving. His second brother returned on leave on Saturday night and was home only a few hours when the War Office telegram arrived intimating Colin's death. Colin was a butcher to trade and for several years before enlisting was on a van that served both town and country customers, so that he came in contact with a very large circle of acquaintances. He was everywhere liked for his frank, cheery and obliging disposition. Active in both mind and body he was connected with quite a number of social activities. In their deep sorrow his parents and brothers have the heart felt sympathy of his many friends. Fife News, December 1917.

"DIES OF WOUNDS. Corporal Colin Aitchison, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, son of Mrs and Mrs Aitchison, Low Road, Auchtermuchty, is reported to have died of wounds on 22d November. Corporal Aitchison whop enlisted nearly three years ago, has been in the eastern theatre of war for about two years, and took part in the attack on Gaza under General Murray. He was a butcher to trade." Courier, 29 November 1917.

 

In June 1918 Mrs Jessie Aitchison, Gowanlea, Auchtermuchty, received from the Perth, her son's identity disc, 2 religious books, correspondence and photographs. Jessie Aitchison replied that "I am curious to inform you that the valuable articles my Dear Boy has been all kept back he had a Bible & Hymnary witch he got as a present from a lady & a wrist watch & other articles."

 

Colin Aitchison's brother, Gunner William Aitchison was wounded.

CASUALTIES - Mr and Mrs Aitchison, Low Road, have also received notification that their son, Gunner William Aitchison, is wounded and in hospital. A letter from himself of a later date, however, states that he is well, so that they conclude that his wounds are not of a serious nature. Fife News, March 1916.