Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Gilbert William Elliot Aitken was born on the 18th March, 1920 in Brisbane, Queensland. He was the only child of Gilbert Elliot Aitken, a medical practitioner, and Elizabeth, nee Belson. His grandfather, father and uncles had all studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. His father served as a surgeon in the Royal Navy in World War 1 and was at Gallipoli. His grandmother, Anne Louisa Gordon Aitken, nee Torry, was the daughter of Bishop John Torry, Dean of St Andrews Diocese, Scotland. Bishop Torry was thought to be the last Jacobite Bishop in Scotland. Aitken immigrated to Brisbane, Australia, after World War one as he was thought to have tuberculosis; this proved incorrect and he married there where his son, Gilbert was born in 1920. He changed his career to mental health taking his family to Hobart. Aitken was educated at the Hutchins School in Hobart, Tasmania, as a boarder from the age of five.  His father took an appointment at Parkside, Adelaide and Aitken continued his education at St Peter’s College, Adelaide, from 1935-1938, where he was nicknamed ‘Tassie’.  At school, like his father before him, he excelled at sport, achieving school colours in football and athletics. He was the record holder for the 100 yard sprint on grass: his time 10.1 seconds was a record for decades. He won the 220 yards Open Handicap and was placed 2nd in the High Jump College cup in 1937. He won the 220 yards Championship College Cup, the 100 yards Championship College Cup and the Intercollegiate Athletic Sports Senior 100 yards medal in 1938. He was a founding member of McDermott House, achieved House Colours and was a House Prefect in 1938. He won the Old Scholars 120 yards handicap in 1939.  He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide and graduated MB BS in 1943, having studied the course, without holidays, in order to join the war effort. He was said to be one of very few who never failed a single exam. He received the Shorney medal for ear nose & throat surgery. He continued his athletic interests throughout his university years; running for University and the State.

Aitken enlisted at Wayville, South Australia, at the rank of Captain. He served as a medical officer with the 2nd AIF in 2 in Rabaul, New Guinea, from 1945 to 1946. A most unpleasant duty was to be the medical officer at the execution of 26 Japanese war criminals; approximately half were shot by firing squad, and the rest hanged. He commented, later, that our troops were not good shots. This was a very traumatic experience and he was deeply affected.  He earned the respect of a Japanese naval captain, who spoke perfect English, and drew an interesting portrait of him in which his skin tones and features are Japanese. The captain was later executed by firing squad; he had asked that his medals be given to Aitken upon his death; Aitken, later, returned these to the captain’s family.

Subsequently he was put in charge of the Chinese ex -prisoners of war who were being repatriated to China. It is believed that he lived on board a ship in Shanghai for a year. During this time he treated Madame Chiang Kai-shek. A reward in the form of a large package which conjured up the prospect of some Chinese antiquity was given to Aitken. The disappointment of a large autographed photograph of Chiang and Madame Chiang was long lasting! After his return to Australia, Aitken served in the CMF until 1967 when he retired as ADMS Central Command with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was issued with; the War Medal 1939-1945, the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945, the Australian Service Medal 1946-1975, the Australian Defence Medal and was awarded the Efficiency Decoration.

Aitken commenced his training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, on return from overseas, at the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital and the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He received the University of Adelaide TG Wilson Travelling Scholarship in Obstetrics and studied, as a fellow, in London at the Chelsea Hospital for Women, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital and St John’s Hospital. He joined the staff of the Jessop Hospital, Sheffield, as a registrar and obtained the MRCOG in 1951. He was appointed Medical Superintendent at the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital (QVMH) in Adelaide on his return to Australia. He stayed at the QVMH throughout his appointment and was proud that there was no maternal death during this time. He was chastised by the QVMH board, when medical superintendent, for the profligacy of purchasing a new anaesthetic machine: many years later he guessed they were still using it. Later he became a member of the honorary gynaecological staff at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, honorary staff at the QVMH and honorary obstetrician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He met his future wife and life time companion, Anne Fisher in 1951; they married at the St Peters College Chapel in 1952.  Aitken became a Fellow of the RCOG in 1965. He was Chairman of the South Australian State Committee of the Australian Council of the RCOG from 1976 to 1978. He was a Foundation Fellow of the RACOG (now RANZCOG) and a member of the Australian Gynaecological Travellers. Aitken, a well read, technically adept and innovative gynaecologist, was a great raconteur with an impish sense of humour, a wonderful teacher and always a team player. He was a gynaecologist at the RAH from 11th November 1948 until 28th February 1949 and   from 1st January 1954 unit 18th March 1985. He was a Senior Visiting Gynaecologist and Head of the Unit. 

His highly successful career was tragically cut short when he was diagnosed as suffering from multiple sclerosis which forced his complete retirement in 1991. Aitken and Anne had a son, Gilbert and a daughter, Prudence. He had many and varied memberships and interests. These  included the Naval, Military and Air Force Club, the Adelaide Club and horse racing which he loved; he was a member of the SAJC and with a few of his colleagues owned quite a number of race horses, including Yangtze, who won over 30 races including the 1964 Caulfield Cup. He enjoyed clay pigeon shooting, the Hyperion Syndicate (thoroughbred horse breeding), Speculum (a doctor’s investment club), the Royal Adelaide Golf Club, watching cricket, wine and collecting art and artefacts. He was a voracious reader and loved travelling. Gilbert William Elliot Aitken died on 10th August 2002 in Adelaide. He was survived by his wife and children.

Blood, Sweat and Fears II: Medical Practitioners of South Australia on Active Service After World War 2 to Vietnam 1945-1975.

Summers, Swain, Jelly, Verco. Open Book Howden, Adelaide 2016

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD