Peter Aitken was killed in action on this day in 1918

Peter Aitken was born 1 December 1890 in Edinburgh, the third son of Peter Aitken and Jessie (née Russell) of Bellencrieth Nursery, Bathgate. He was one of nine children, of whom one (George) died in childhood, aged 2 years..

On leaving school, Peter was employed at the Bathgate Post Office.

In March 1916, he enlisted in the 7th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

On 13 May 1916, the 6th and 7th Battalions were merged to become the 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

The Battalion took part in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and the Battles of Arras and Third Ypres in 1917.

By March 1918, the battalion occupied positions at Mory, north of Bapaume. 

On 21 March 1918, the Germans launched their Spring offensive, known as Kaiserschlacht ("Kaiser's Battle") or the Ludendorff offensive, a series of attacks along the Western Front, designed to defeat the Allies before the United States could ship soldiers across the Atlantic and fully deploy its resources. 

The Battalion was instructed to advance to take up positions in front of Vaucourt. The Germans attacked in waves but, despite, heavy fighting, the Battalion held its position. By mid-afternoon on the 22nd, the enemy pressure forced a withdrawal and the Germans occupied Vaucourt. Over the next two days, the Battalion was relived and withdrew to Fonquevillers.

Peter was killed during the action on 22 March 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

In 1917, two of Peter's brothers were killed in action. John Aitken served in the 17th Royal Scots and was killed in September 1917 (whilst the Pension Card indicates 14 September, the CWGC records the date as 13 September). He is buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension. James Aitken (born 1897) served in the 7th South Staffordshire Regiment. He was killed on 4 October 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

43276 Acting Corporal Peter Aitken, 6/7th Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers