204038 Alexander Aitchison enlisted in Saskatoon on 8 December 1915 with the 96th Battalion Canadian Highlanders.

He sailed to England on 6 October 1916 on the SS Laconia where he joined the 92nd Battalion (48th Highlanders). He was transferred to the 5th Reserve Battalion in preparation to being sent to France. In France he was taken on strength of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) on 10 April 1917. As the battalion, as part of the Canadian Army, had begun the attack to capture Vimy Ridge on 9 April he may have been held in reserve during the battle. The records are not definitive for this. He was promoted to Acting Lance Corporal on 15 November and confirmed then promoted to Corporal on 11 December.

He was transferred to the 3rd Brigade “Carrying Party” for the period of 26 to 27 September 1918 and on 27 September 1918 he was sent to hospital having received a shrapnel wound to his left calf at the Canal du Nord battle.

For the period he was with the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) he would have been in the battles at Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, the Drocourt-Queant Line and finally Canal du Nord.

He was struck off strength of the 15th Battalion on 30 September and returned to England. He was discharged in Canada on 24 February 1919.

NOK: Thomas J. Aitchison (Brother) Macrorie, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan

This page is supported by his great niece Janis Hartley.