Private Robert Aitken
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, other than that he was from Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Aitken joined the North Irish Horse (either enlisted or called-up) between 27 June and 30 July 1917 (Regimental number between 2516 and 2529 – later Corps of Hussars No.71875). After training at the regimental reserve at Antrim, in late 1917 or 1918 he embarked for France, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment.
This regiment served as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps from its establishment in May 1916 until February-March 1918, when it was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in the regiment's numbers, and it is possible that at this time Aitken was attached to the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers).
Aitken was wounded in the left forearm in late August or early September 1918 during the opening phase of the Advance to Victory offensive. Documentary evidence is not clear as to whether at the time he was serving with the North Irish Horse cyclist regiment or the 6th Dragoon Guards, but the latter seems more probable.
On 29 January 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.