A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Aitchison, Robert
AITCHISON. (Capt., 1827. f-p., 19; h-p., 20.)
Robert Aitchison is son of Wm. Aitchison,Esq., of Drummore, East Lothian.
This officer entered the Navy, 3 Dec. 1808, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Lively 38, Capt. Geo. McKinley, in which frigate he was wrecked, off the Island of Malta, 10 Aug. 1810. Until confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant, 6 May, 1815, he afterwards served, as Midshipman, Master’s Mate, and Acting-Lieutenant, in the Unite 36, and Leviathan 74, both commanded by Capt. Patrick Campbell, Conqueror 74, Capt. Edw. Fellowes, Impetueux, Dublin, Venerable, and Bulwark 74’s, Capt. David Mane, Tonnant 80, flag-ship of Sir Alex. Cochrane, and Vengeur 74, Capt. Tristram Robt. Ricketts. While in the Bulwark, we find Mr. Aitchison commanding her tender for the annoyance of the enemy’s trade off Boston, and also witnessing (during a boat expedition up the Penobscot) the attack on Bangor and the destruction of the John Adams frigate. He was subsequently employed for six weeks in the boats of the Tonnant during the operations against New Orleans; and further commanded the small-arm men landed from the Vengeur to assist in the reduction of Fort Bowyer in Feb. 1815. Being appointed, 1 May, 1816, to the Leander 60, Capt. Edw. Chetham, Mr. Aitchison served at the ensuing bombardment of Algiers, and on that occasion commanded the forecastle and gangway guns. After a subsequent servitude of nearly three years as Flag-Lieutenant to Sir David Milne on the North America station, he was promoted to the rank of Commander, by commission, dated 17 July, 1819; and on 3 April, 1826, was next appointed to the Clio 18, in the North Sea. Since his Post-promotion, which took place 30 April, 1827, Capt, Aitchison has been on half-pay.
He married, first, 13 Dec. 1321, Eliza, daughter of the late Matthew Munro, Esq., of the island of Granada; and, secondly, 23 April, 1838, Catherine, daughter of Henry Combe Compton, Esq., M.P. for South Hampshire. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.