Service Record
Arthur Edward Aitken began his army career in January 1880, when he was commissioned
from the Royal Military College as a Second Lieutenant in the 97th Foot. The London
Gazette records him as “Gentleman Cadet Arthur Edward Aitken” appointed to the
97th Foot, dated 14 January 1880.
Within weeks, he transferred to the 29th Foot, later the Worcestershire Regiment,
with the transfer dated 25 February 1880.
In 1882, he moved from the Worcestershire Regiment into the Bombay Staff Corps,
part of the British Indian Army structure. The Gazette lists him as “Lieutenant
Arthur Edward Aitken, from the Worcestershire Regiment,” dated 31 December 1882,
ranking from 1 July 1881.
He rose steadily through the Indian Army. In 1900, he was promoted from Captain
to Major in the Indian Staff Corps, dated 14 January 1900. By 1904, he was listed
with the 119th Infantry, The Mooltan Regiment. In 1911, he was among Indian Army
officers promoted to Colonel.
Campaigns
Sudan Campaign, 1885
Aitken’s early active service was in the Sudan Campaign of 1885. Hart’s Army List
records that Major A. E. Aitken served in the campaign and was present at Hasheen,
the Tofrek zereba, and the destruction of Temai.
For this service, he received the Egypt Medal with two clasps and the Khedive’s Star.
First World War — East Africa, 1914
His best-known campaign was the East African campaign at the start of the First World War.
IWM’s Lives of the First World War records him in 1914 as Major General, Indian Army,
appointed General Commanding Indian Expeditionary Force “B” on 16 October 1914.
Aitken led Indian Expeditionary Force “B” in the attempted capture of Tanga, in German
East Africa, in November 1914. The operation formed part of the wider British effort
against German colonial forces in East Africa.
The campaign ended in defeat. German forces under Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck counter-attacked
and forced the British and Indian troops back to their boats. The retreat left the Germans
with captured British guns and supplies.
Leadership Roles
| Role |
Detail |
| British Army officer |
Began in the 97th Foot, then transferred to the 29th Foot,
later the Worcestershire Regiment.
|
| Indian Army officer |
Transferred to the Bombay Staff Corps and served through the
Indian Staff Corps system.
|
| 119th Infantry / Mooltan Regiment |
Listed with the 119th Infantry, The Mooltan Regiment, by 1904.
|
| Colonel, Indian Army |
Promoted among Indian Army officers to Colonel in 1911.
|
| General Commanding Indian Expeditionary Force “B” |
Appointed on 16 October 1914 and commanded the force sent
against Tanga.
|
Recognition
Aitken’s formal recognition was mixed. His early Sudan service brought campaign-medal
recognition: the Egypt Medal with two clasps and the Khedive’s Star.
For the First World War, IWM links him to a Medal Index Card held under The National
Archives reference WO372/1, with record reference D1651114.
His later reputation was dominated by the defeat at Tanga. However, Hansard records
that by 1921 his conduct in East Africa had been “vindicated,” and the Secretary of
State for India stated that Aitken was allowed to retire from 26 May 1918 on the
maximum pension of his rank, with the honorary rank of Brigadier-General on retirement.
Summary
Arthur Edward Aitken was a long-serving British and Indian Army officer whose
career stretched from Sandhurst and the old regimental army of the 1880s to high
command in the First World War. He saw early active service in Sudan, rose to
senior rank in the Indian Army, and commanded Indian Expeditionary Force “B” in
East Africa. Although remembered chiefly for the failed Tanga operation, his career
was later partially rehabilitated, and he retired with the honorary rank of
Brigadier-General.