Francis Thomas (Frank) Aiken was born on 13 February 1898 at Carrickbracken, Camlough in County Armagh, the seventh and youngest child of James Aiken, a builder from Co Tyrone, and Mary McGeeney of Corromannon, Beleek, Co. Armagh.
He was educated in Newry by Irish Christian Brothers at Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School and at St Colman's College, Newry.