A Bundaberg East street now displays the Rising Sun badge of the Australian Army in honour of former resident and WWII soldier Private James Aitkenhead.
Aitkenhead Street in Bundaberg East was named after James in 1951 and was recognised under Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program.
James was born on 21 July 1912 to Alexander and Margaret Aitkenhead in Glasgow, Scotland.
He was working as a truck driver and living on Quay Street, Bundaberg East with his wife Mavis when he enlisted in the Australian Infantry Force on 11 January 1941, aged 28.
His first posting was to Brisbane, and soon after Mavis followed, living in Highgate Hill and New Farm.
James served with the 2/31 Australian Infantry Battalion, which formed in 1940 and fought in Europe and the Middle East before joining the war in the Pacific from mid-1942.
Throughout his service, James was posted to Redbank, Goondiwindi and Hughenden before he embarked onboard the Zealandia for Papua New Guinea, arriving 9 September 1942.
There the 2/31 Australian Infantry Battalion was tasked with reinforcing Australian units on the Kokoda Trail.
The 2/31 Battalion joined other Australian troops to advance back along the trail as Japanese forces retreated and was the first battalion to re-enter Kokoda on 1 November.
James was reported missing in action, presumed dead, on 19 November 1942, aged 30.
James’ service is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and the Bundaberg Civic Centre Memorial Portico, and his name is listed on the Port Moresby Memorial.
Service Number: QX23731
Information about Private Aitkenhead’s life and service is from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Virtual War Memorial and Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Streets of Remembrance
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program recognises the service of veterans with a connection to the Bundaberg Region by adding the badge of the military force in which they served to the street sign of streets named in their honour.
More information about Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program and how to nominate a street or service person is available here.
