William Robertson (VC)

Battle of Elandslaagte

Lieutenant Colonel William Robertson (27 February 1865 – 6 December 1949) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Robertson was 34 years old, and a sergeant-major in the 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, British Army, during the Second Boer War when the following action took place at the Battle of Elandslaagte for which he was awarded the VC. Template:Quote

Further information

Grave of Lt Col William Robertson VC, Portobello Cemetery, Edinburgh

Robertson was later commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders as a quartermaster with the rank of lieutenant, becoming a recruiting officer in 1907.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> In 1911 he is listed as "William Robertson VC", recruiting officer, living at 21 Lee Crescent in Portobello, Edinburgh.<ref>Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1911</ref> He was promoted captain in May 1910,<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> major in May 1915,<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> and lieutenant colonel in August 1917.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

In January 1918 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his service as a recruiting officer in Edinburgh,<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> retiring in March 1920.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> After retirement he became honorary treasurer of the Royal British Legion Scotland and became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 1946 for this service. He also served as a justice of the peace.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

He died at home on 6 December 1949. He is buried in Portobello Cemetery with his family. The grave lies against the eastern boundary wall.

Family

He was married to Sarah Ferris (d. 1950). Their children included William J. Robertson (1892–1964), Marion Robertson (1895–1971), and Ian Gordon Robertson (1897–1916).<ref>Grave of William Robertson VC, Portobello Cemetery</ref> Ian was a second lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders and was killed at Beaumont Hamel in France on 13 November 1916.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Medals

His medals, including the Victoria Cross, are displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Freemasonry

He was a Scottish Freemason having been Initiated in Lodge Union, No. 332 (Glasgow), on 20 March, Passed on 10 April and raised on 1 May 1895. At a regular meeting of the Lodge on 20 March 1900 it was announced that Robertson had been awarded the VC.<ref>Famous Scottish Freemasons. The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland. 2010. p. 88. Template:ISBN</ref>

Bibliography

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
• Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Lothian, Scotland)
• angloboerwar.com profile