Private George Aitchison

Private George Stewart White Aitchison, “B” Coy., 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in France on 23rd August 1918 during the ” Advance to Victory” aged 24. He was the son of Robert and Agnes Aitchison of Castle Street, Duns and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France. He was the fifth son of the family and had enlisted in November 1914 and had been wounded three times. Before the War he had been apprenticed to Mr D. Veitch, Coalman of Duns before going to Edinburgh to work for Messrs Blanche and Co. He had originally joined the 16th ( Macrae’s ) Battalion, Royal Scots before transferring to the 2nd Battalion. He fell in the successful attack on Gomiecourt where the Battalion captured 269 prisoners and numerous field guns and machine guns.4 Officers and 27 Other Ranks were killed with 3 Officers and 195 Other Ranks wounded.  (The 16th Royal Scots had been formed in 1914 by Sir George McRae and had originally included professional football players from Hearts, Hibs, Falkirk, Dunfermline and Raith Rovers together with many of their supporters. By 1918 few of the originals remained with the Battalion.  The photos show Allied troops during the advance against the retreating German army in the final 100 days of the War.

Scroll to Top