Sir Max Aitken, 2nd Baronet

Sir John William Maxwell Aitken, 2nd Baronet, (15 February 1910 – 30 April 1985 ), briefly 2nd Baron Beaverbrook in 1964, was a Canadian-British fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War, a Conservative politician, and press baron. He was the son of Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook.

Early life Aitken was born on 15 February 1910 in Montreal, the son of Gladys Henderson (Drury) and Max Aitken (later Lord Beaverbrook). He was the brother of Janet Gladys Aitken. He was educated at Sandroyd School then Downsend School, Westminster School and Pembroke College, Cambridge. A talented sportsman, he was a university blue at football and a scratch golfer. He was also a keen flyer and spent some time in the thirties flying throughout Europe and the USA. He joined the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) in 1935, serving part-time with No. 601 Squadron. and was promoted to flying officer on 14 April 1937.

Second World War Just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, Aitken was called up for service in the RAF. He was involved in a sortie to Borkum, to attack a German seaplane base there, on 27 November 1939. This was No. 601 Squadron's first operation of the war. Otherwise, it was mostly engaged in night patrols from its base at Biggin Hill. It reequipped with Hawker Hurricane fighters in early 1940. On 15 May, Aitken was promoted to flight lieutenant. Aitken became the squadron's commanding officer in June,

Family life Aitken married three times: 1) Cynthia Monteith, daughter of Colonel H. G. Monteith DSO OBE (1939–1944) (divorced) 3) Violet de Trafford, daughter of Sir Humphrey de Trafford (1951–30 April 1985); a son and a daughter (Maxwell and Laura)

He succeeded his father as Baron Beaverbrook on the latter's death on 9 June 1964, but disclaimed the title three days later on 12 June, stating that "there shall only be one Lord Beaverbrook in my lifetime". On his death in 1985, his son, also Max Aitken, took on the title.