Jun 11, 1897

Born at Orangeville Ontario to John William Aiken and Emily MacAdam 

The birth registration was not filed until February 4, 1963 at Toronto Ontario

Dec 10, 1915

Attested into the 164^th Battalion at Orangeville Ontario 

Ø      Number 663134

Ø      Next of kin given as John Aiken (father) of Orangeville Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Student

Ø      No Previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Apr 10, 1917

Embarked the SS Carpathia at Halifax Nova Scotia

Apr 22, 1917

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Otterpool Camp

Apr 23, 1917

Transferred to the 2^nd Reserve Battalion at East Sandling Camp

May 27, 1917

Transferred to the 164^th Battalion which was now at the Witley Camp

Mar 9, 1918

Attached to the 125^th Battalion at Witley

Mar 28, 1918

Ceased to be attached to the 125^th Battalion on return to the 164^th Battalion

Mar 29, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 30, 1918

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Mar 31, 1918

Left 2 CIBD and arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Apr 1, 1918

While at the CC Rein C, he was transferred to the CMGC (Canadian Machine Gun Corps), having never physically joined the 21^st Battalion.

Apr 2, 1918

TOS the Canadian Machine Gun Regimental Pool

Apr 14, 1918

Transferred to the YMMG Bty (Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery)

Jun 8, 1918

The YMMG Bty was absorbed into the 2^nd CMBG Bde (Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade)

Sep 4, 1918

Admitted to No 3 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) then transferred the same day to the CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with a slight shrapnel wound to the abdomen 

He had been wounded during an enemy artillery barrage near the Cambrai road.  He was one of 16 casualties suffered by the Battery that afternoon.

Sep 5, 1918

Transferred to No 14 CFA

Sep 11, 1918

Discharged to duty from No 14 CFA

Sep 12, 1918

Rejoined his unit from hospital

Mar 7, 1919

Proceeded to Seaford England with the 2^nd CMMG Bde pending return to Canada

May 6, 1919

Embarked the RMS Scotian at Liverpool

May 15, 1919

Disembarked at Montreal Quebec and proceeded to Toronto Ontario

May 16, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Toronto Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued No 211853

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Orangeville Ontario

Aug 10, 2009

The city of Orangeville honoured Pte Aiken by naming a street, Aiken Crescent, after him.  A very nice tribute that includes a Poppy on the street sign