A fine Collection of Life Saving Awards

Three: Colonel F. M. Aitken, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Capt. F. M. Aitken, 2nd Bn. Arg. & Suth’d. Highrs.) correction to initials; Coronation 1902, silver; Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (Lt. F. M. Aitken, 93rd Highlanders, 28th Nov. 1880) claw tightened, slight contact marks, very fine (3) £650-750

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Life Saving Awards.

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Francis Macnamara Aitken was commissioned into the 93rd Highlanders on 9 July 1879. He was promoted to Lieutenant in July 1881; Captain in November 1888; Major in December 1898 and Lieutenant-Colonel in April 1905. He retired in April 1910 but was re-appointed Lieutenant-Colonel to the 13th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in November 1914. Aitken served on the Staff, 1915-19 and received the honorary rank of Colonel in 1920.

In 1880, Lieutenant F. M. Aitken, 93rd Highlanders, in company with Lieutenant A. H. Middleton, 93rd Highlanders and Lieutenant C. R. Orde, Rifle Brigade, were awarded the R.H.S. Medal in Silver (R.H.S. Case No. 21,172).

‘On the 28th November, 1880, they were out sailing in Gibraltar Bay in a yawl belonging to the officers of the 93rd Highlanders. At 6 o'clock p.m. the wind, which had been blowing hard all day, suddenly dropped, and an attempt was made to tow the yawl by the means of the dinghy, in which Mr. Campbell and Private Buchanan commenced rowing. The other officers manned the sweeps of the larger boat, keeping the mainsail and jib set. The wind suddenly sprung up and the yawl forged ahead, dragging the other boat swiftly through the water; at this juncture an attempt was made to transfer the tow line from the stern to the bow of the dinghy, and in doing so, the boat became swamped, immersing Mr. Campbell and the soldier. The latter succeeded in reaching the yawl at once, but Mr. Campbell was unable to see the boats in the darkness, and after swimming a considerable time, became exhausted and found himself sinking.

Mr. Aitken, who was steering the yawl at the time of the accident, seized a life-buoy and jumped overboard without divesting himself of clothing, and swam to the assistance of his brother officer. Mr. Middleton followed only removing some of his clothes, and taking with him another life-buoy. After swimming about fifty yards they heard Mr. Campbell calling for help; they went in the direction of the sound, and at first could see nothing until the phosphorescent light in the disturbed water showed where Mr. Campbell had gone down.

Mr. Aitken dived and succeeded in reaching the body, but owing to Mr. Campbell's struggles and the loss of his life-buoy, he had difficulty in keeping on the surface and holding the other. Mr. Middleton then arrived and assisted in placing the other life-buoy under Mr. Campbell; in doing so, the three officers sank several times.

Mr. Orde in the meantime went overboard, swam to the dinghy, then forty yards off, and brought it to the officers; they succeeded in making Mr. Campbell hold on to it, and shouted to Private Buchanan to pull on the attached tow rope. Mr. Campbell then became unconscious, and the dinghy, which hitherto had floated right way up now, turned over.

Mr. Middleton then succeeded in getting Campbell on the keel, and with Mr. Orde's assistance they reached the yawl. It was now found that Mr. Aitken was missing; they went in the dinghy and found him 250 yards off. Thunder and lightning with heavy rain continued all the time.

The case was sent by desire of His Royal Highness the Field Marshall Commanding-in-Chief, strongly recommending the above named officers for honorary reward, especially Lieutenant Aitken.’ (Ref. Acts of Gallantry).

With copied research and copied photograph.