Jimmy, a vice-captain of the club in 1896, almost certainly appears in this accompanying photograph of unidentified Carlton players who posed for posterity 116 years ago. Perhaps he’s one of the young men seated either side of the then Carlton captain Tom Blake, the proud custodian of the ’96 football.
Jimmy caused a stir in 1896 when, in the June 13 match against St Kilda, he levelled foul language at the unfortunate umpire Carter. He subsequently earned a two-match suspension for his troubles, despite his protestations to The Argus newspaper that he was prevented from calling a witness who would have proved his innocence.
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Jimmy turned out in just 15 senior league matches for Carlton. He took his place in the centre for the opening round with Fitzroy on that momentous day at Brunswick Street in May 1897, but switched clubs in circumstances that remain unclear and joined Melbourne in early 1898.
Archival records indicate that James Monro (Munroe) Aitken was born in Sebastopol on May 15, 1872, the son of John Aitken and Catherine Kerr (listed on some death indexes as Caroline and/or Margaret Kerr).
They also state that a James Ernest Monro Aitken married Cath Middlemiss in 1901.
Jimmy died at North Caulfield on August 27, 1944, while Cath died in Richmond in 1952.
Those who may be able to assist with any information regarding this significant Carlton figure are kindly asked to call Tony De Bolfo at the club on 9389 6241 or tony.debolfo@carltonfc.com.au.
The Carlton team at the MCG, 1896
