Thomas Charles Aitcheson

Birth	1891, Burma, Asia
Parents	Son of Arthur & Martha Aitcheson
Residence	Stationed in Africa (1911 Census)
Occupation	Soldier (1911 Census)

Enlisted
Regiment	2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (at time of death)
Regimental No:	17989
Rank	2nd Lieutenant
Service Record	1st Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. Mentioned in Despatches, Acting 2nd Corporal, 22/6/1915 (London Gazette edition 29200)

Death	19th October 1916, killed in action - aged 25
Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Commemoration	Thiepval Memorial, Picardie
Medals	Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal

Thomas Charles Aitcheson was born in Burma, Asia, in 1891. The brother of Nelson, he was the oldest son of Arthur and Martha Aitcheson and the family lived in Old Post Office Cottage, Lower Froyle. Thomas’s father, Arthur, had served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in many parts of the world and most of his large family were born abroad. Already following in his father’s footsteps, Thomas was a serving soldier by the time of the 1911 Census and was stationed in Africa, serving with the 2nd Field Troop, Royal Engineers, as a 20 year old Sapper and he is described as a painter. On 22nd June 1915 he was Mentioned in Despatches, while serving as an Acting 2nd Corporal with the 1st Field Squadron Royal Engineers in Gallipoli. However, at the time of his death, he was 17989 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Aitcheson, serving with the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Thomas was killed in action on 19th October 1916 in the Battle of the Somme, aged 25 years. Just eight days earlier the War Office announced that he had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Perhaps that was of some small comfort to his parents, who had already lost one son the previous year. The Alton Gazette was the bearer of both these pieces of news. In the ‘Froyle’ section of the village reports on 14th October 1916 it read:
For Bravery in the field - War Office, October 11th: The King has been pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the following (among others) 17989 Corpl T C Aitcheson R.E. (now Sec Lieut of the Hants Regt) Our hearty congratulations are due both to him and his parents who reside in this village.
But then, just three weeks later, in the 4th November edition was the very sad news:
Roll of Glory - A War Office telegram received by Mr A Aitcheson during last week conveyed to him the sad news of the death of his eldest son, Sec Lieut Tom C Aitcheson of the Hants Regt. This promising young officer had been previously twice wounded, and as has been already mentioned in these columns had received the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field. His sad loss is a great blow to his family and many friends. A message of condolence and sympathy has been received direct from Buckingham Palace by Mr. Aitcheson, and also the following letter from the colonel of the regiment:- ‘Dear Mr. Aitcheson, It is with the utmost regret that I have to inform you that your son, Lieut T C Aitcheson, of the battalion under my command, was killed in action on October 19th. He was struck by a shell while holding a recently captured trench and killed instantaneously, and cannot possibly have felt any pain. His experience and keenness made him a most valuable officer to me and I cannot tell you how sorry I am to lose him. Will you accept the deepest sympathy of myself and all the ranks of the battalion in your terrible loss. Yours sincerely, W H Middleton, Lieut-Col ’
The war diaries of 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment tell us that, on the day he was killed, the battalion was due to be relieved by the South Wales Borderers, but due to heavy rain, that relief had difficulty in getting to the front. The countless shell-holes had become slimy pools; the churned up soil of the Somme ridges resulted in knee-deep mud, which made movement more and more difficult.
Somme - October 19th 1916 ....Raided during most of the day. We consolidated our position. Relief arrived during night but too late to carry out the relief before daylight. October 20th 1916......The trenches were in a very bad condition owing to the wet weather and frequent shelling. The battalion was relieved about 8pm by the South Wales Borderers and went into bivouacs near Bernafay Wood where a hot meal and dry clothing awaited our men. Casualties - 2 Lieut T C Aitcheson. Killed (19th). Other Ranks 12 Killed. 1 Wounded....
As well as the Military Medal, 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Aitcheson was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in Picardie, France, Pier and Face 7C and 7B.