Allan Hugh Aitken

Allan Hugh Aitken

Wedding photo Allan and Carmel 1937 (Ancestry.com)
Personal Information
Date of Birth	14 Aug 1912
Place of Birth	Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Death	9 Dec 1999, aged 87
Place of Death	Rossmoyne, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	30 years old
Description	5'10" (1.78m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark hair
Occupation	Clerk
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Orchard avenue, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Mary (Carmel) Veronica Aitken
Military Information
Reg Number	W13163 & WX34056
Date of Enlistment	1 Sep 1942
Rank	Captain
Unit/Formation	11th Australian Supply Depot Company
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	7 Sep 1945 ‒ 12 Sep 1945
Transport Details	HMAS Darwin to Koepeng (Timor)
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1929-45 Australian Service Medal 1945-75

Pre War

On 12 Jul 1937 Allan married Mary Carmel Veronica Yardley in Bunbury. Carmel, as she was known, was born 1912, and died in on 26 Apr 1997, aged 84.

Electoral Roll entries:1936 - 1943 at Orchard avenue, Armadale, compositor.

War Service

On 5 Sep 1940 Allan enlisted part time with the 109th Australian Reserve Motor Company. On 30 Sep 41 he was taken on full time, having been promoted Corporal on 5 Sep 1940, and he was called up for full time duty on 29 Sep 1941. On 8 Nov 1941 he was transferred to the Ammunition Company following his return from a short period (1 -3 Nov 1941) in 110th Australian Base Hospital. On 13 Dec 1941 Allan was promoted Acting Sergeant and in late January 1942 he was sent to the Guildford Training School to undertake a Senior NCO Course. Allan returned to duty on 18 Feb 1942 having passed the course. On 15 Mar 1942 Allan's rank of Sergeant was confirmed and he was detached to the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade Group.

Allan was appointed an Acting Lieutenant on 8 Jul 1942, and was detached to the 3rd Australian Corps Training Support Column. On 12 Aug 1942 his role was as the DID 3rd Australian Corps and on 1 Sep 1942 Allan enlisted in the AIF and was given a new Army Number of WX34056. The next day he was posted to HQ 3rd Australian Corps who re-allocated him to of the 137th Australian General Transport Company. Allan's posting changed on 12 Feb 1943 when he found himself in the 3rd Australian Corps Troops Ammunition Company for a short time before joining the 37th Australian Company AASC on 15 Apr 1943. From 22 May until 3 Jun 1943 he undertook a Junior Tactical Training Course at Harvey before spending a few days with the 38th Australian Company AASC (1 -5 Aug 1943) before rejoining the 37th Company on 5 Aug 1943.

On 22 Sep 1943 Allan was promoted Acting Captain, and following a course at the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) school during September and early October he was posted to 147th Australian General Transport Company from 1 -17 May 1944 after which he was posted to the 3rd Australian Motor Brigade Company AASC. On 21 Dec 1944 Allan was transferred to the AASC Reinforcement Pool and on 17 Jan 1945 he was a member of the HQ Northern Territory Recreation Camp. With the 11th Advanced Supply Depot Company he embarked aboard HMAS Horsham in Darwin on 7 Sep 1945 for Koepang in Timor, disembarking on 12 Sep 1945. As a member of the 70th Supply Depot Platoon he emplaned in Koepang on 20 Dec 1945 for Darwin.

On 1 Jan 1946 Allan was back in WA with the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. On 16 Jan 1946 he was detached to HQ Western Command, remaining with them until 12 Aug 1946 when he returned to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, this time to take his discharge. On 15 Aug 1946 Allan's appointment was terminated.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Albany road, Armadale, compositor; 1954 - 1980 at 62 Todd avenue, South Perth, compositor