Colonel Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken, VC, CB

From Wikipedia: Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken

Colonel Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken VC CB (Wednesday, 8 February 1826 – Sunday, 18 September 1887) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details of Nomination

He was 31 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 13th Bengal Native Infantry, Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC:

• For various acts of gallantry performed during the defence of the Residency of Lucknow, from Tuesday, 30 June 1857 to Sunday, 22 November 1857.
• 1. On three different occasions, Lieutenant Aitken went into the garden under the enemy's loopholes in the "Captain's Bazaar". On two of these occasions, he brought out a number of bullocks which had been left in the garden;— subsequently, on Friday, 3 July 1857, the enemy having set fire to the Bhoosa Stock in the garden, and it being apprehended that the fire would reach the Powder Magazine which had been left there, Lieutenant Aitken, accompanied by other Officers, went into the garden, and cut down all the tents which might have communicated the fire to the powder. This was done, close to the enemy's, loopholes. Under a bright light from the flames. It was a most dangerous service.
• 2. On the night of the Thursday, 20 August 1857, the Enemy, having set fire to the Baillie Guard Gate, Lieutenant Aitken was the first man in the gateway, and, assisted by some sepoys and a water-carrier of his Regiment, he partially opened the gate under a-heavy, fire of musketry, and, having removed the burning wood and straw, saved the gate.
• 3. On the evening of the Friday, 25 September 1857, this Officer led on twelve sepoys of his Regiment, for the purpose of attacking two guns opposite the gate referred to, in order to prevent their being turned-on the late Major-General Havelock's second column. Having captured them, he attacked and took the Teree Kotee, with a small force.
• 4. On the morning of the Saturday, 26 September 1857, with a small party of his Regiment, he assaulted and captured the barricaded gateway of the Furreed Buksh Palace, and the Palace itself. On this occasion, he sprang up against a small wicket gate on the right and prevented the enemy from shutting it, until, with assistance, it was forced open, and the assaulting party were thus enabled to rush in. The complete success of the attack was solely owing to this Officer's distinguished bravery.
• 5. In a subsequent sortie on Tuesday, 29 September 1857, Lieutenant Aitken volunteered to take a gun which still continued firing, taking with him four soldiers through the houses and lanes to the gun. The enemy fired on this party from the houses, but they held their ground, until a stronger party coming up, the gun was upset from its carriage, and taken into the Residency. Another gun was subsequently taken.

Later life

In later life he achieved the rank of Colonel.

He died in 1887 and is buried in the Eastern Cemetery at St Andrews on the upper terrace.

Family

Robert was the son of John Aitken and Jane Christie, of Cupar, Fife, Scotland. He came from a long line of army personnel. His cousin Robert Digby-Jones also received the Victoria Cross (posthumously) for actions at Ladysmith in 1900.

Legacy

The memorial in Lucknow

His Victoria Cross is now part of the Collections at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England). He is unique in that the decoration ceremony was performed at the same place, the Residency at Lucknow, and almost on the exact spot where several of his V.C. actions had taken place. He did not, however, receive the actual 'medal' on this occasion, as it had been mislaid.

A memorial was erected at the Residency in Lucknow. It reads:

• This monument is erected to the memory of Colonel Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken V.C. Bengal Staff Corps and formerly of the 13th Regiment Bengal Infantry, by some of his surviving comrades and other friends in token of their appreciation of his sterling worth as a man, and of the splendid gallantry and chivalrous devotion which he displayed as a soldier in command of this post, which he held with the faithful and loyal remnant of the Regiment to which he belonged throughout the defence of the Residency of Lucknow.

From Scotland's People: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms

• 8 February 1828 birth or baptism of Robert Hope Mon Aitken, son of John Aitken and Jane Christie [child 6], in the parish of Cupar

From Scotland's People: Deaths

1887 death of Robert H Moncrieff Aitken, [Mother's maiden name] Christie, aged 59 [born about 1828], registered district: St Andrews and St Leonards

From British Newspaper Archive: Fife Herald Wednesday, 21 September 1887 Page 8 Deaths

Deaths: At Pilmour Cottage, now Eden Clubhouse, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SF 56.349620, -2.817651, North Britain [N.B.], on Sunday, 18 September 1887 [inst.], Colonel Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken, V.C.

From findagrave: Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken (1826-1887)

• Name: Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken
• Born: Monday, 6 February 1826, Cupar, Fife, Scotland
• Died: Sunday, 18 September 1887 (aged 61), Saint Andrews, Scotland
• Buried:[St Andrews Eastern Cemetery, 9 Shorehead, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9RG 56.3392255, -2.7856485]
• Plot: Upper Terrace
• About: Indian Mutiny Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Cupar, Scotland, he served as a Lieutenant in the 13th Bengal Native Infantry, British Indian Army. During the defense of the Residency of Lucknow, India, from Tuesday, 30 June 1857 to Sunday, 22 November 1857, Lieutenant Aitken on many occasions distinguished himself in actions against the enemy. He volunteered to lead attacks, captured enemy guns, set fire to the Baillie Guard Gate, plus assaulted and captured the barricaded gateway of the Furreed Buksh Palace. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross and later achieved the rank of Colonel in the Bengal Staff Corps. He died at age 61 in Saint Andrews, Scotland.

From Scotland's People: Wills and Testaments

• 18 January 1888 Will of Colonel Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken, V.C., Bengal Staff Corps, retired, sometime residing at St Andrews, Fife, afterwards at Edinburgh, died Sunday, 18 September 1887 at Pilmour Cottage, near St Andrews, testate; court: Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills
• 19 January 1888 Will, Testament or Inventory of Colonel Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken, V.C., Bengal Staff Corps, retired, sometime residing at St Andrews, Fife, afterwards at Edinburgh, died Sunday, 18 September 1887 at Pilmour Cottage, near St Andrews, testate; court: Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories