The AIF Project

Henry Richard AIKEN

Regimental number1703
Place of birthPoplar, London, England
Other NamesHarry Richard
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
Addressc/o B S Anderson, Mt Eccles via Leongatha, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Height5' 7.5"
Weight132 lbs
Next of kinSarah Aiken, 78 Tents Road, Plaistow London, England
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date1 February 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll1 February 1915
Place of enlistmentLeongatha, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name14th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 29 March 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll46th Battalion
FateDischarged in the United Kingdom 14 January 1918
Place of death or woundingVange, Essex, England
Age at death32
Place of burialWoodgrange Park Cemetery, London, England
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Wife: Violet Belinda AIKEN, 'Terori', Ravenscourt, Vange, Pitsea, Essex, England
Discharge date14 January 1918
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Discharged in England as permanently unfit, 14 January 1918 (gun shot wound, left foot).

War service: 2 years 348 days

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Wife writes regarding possible other contacts for further information: 'I cannot say definitely. I have letters still from his friends at Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia, but I think [the above] information will be sufficient. One of the finest men who ever lived was my husband, and a long sufferer from his war injuries. 10 years after the Great War he died & was nursed the last 18 months night & day in our little home here by myself after he had been in many hospitals & sanitariums in France and [the] United Kingdom. I am proud to be his widow but regret that because I live in the mother country I have since 1932 had 9/- a week stopped from my war widow's pension. I am told it is the exchange rate that is the cause of this. It is a struggle to live in these times.

I have brought my daughter up to the age of 21 years. She, like her father, has made the most of her opportunities, & at the age of 17 years was secretary to the Staff Manager of one of the largest factories in Essex; has had 5 different positions all of which she has resigned to better herself. Silver cups etc she has won for her popularity etc. Now Mr Heyes, I don't think I've lacked my duties to my husband in any way. Do you think you can help me in Australia to get justice returned to me as regards my pension? I appreciate my husband's name being erected on the "Hall of Memory" immensely, but what about those left behind?'
Date of death18 March 1928
Age at death32
SourcesNAA: B2455, AIKEN Henry Richard

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