James Peter Robertson
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James Peter Robertson VC (26 October 1883 – 6 November 1917) was a Canadian 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
Born in Albion Mines (now called Stellarton), Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Robertson enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in June 1915.[1] Robertson was 34 years old, and a private in the 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
- On 6 November 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium, when his platoon was held up by a machine-gun, Private Robertson rushed the gun, killed four of the crew and then turned the gun on the remainder. After inflicting more casualties and carrying the captured gun, he led his platoon to the final position and got the gun into action, firing on the retreating enemy. During the consolidation his use of the machine-gun kept down the enemy sniper fire. Later when two of the snipers on his own side were wounded, he went out and carried one of them in under heavy fire but he was killed by a shell just as he returned with the second man.
Further information
Robertson is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium, located 5 miles north east of Ypres. (Plot LVIII. Row D. Grave 26).
The medal
His medal is not available for public viewing as it is privately owned by his family.
Legacy
On 10 February 2011, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced that the nine new vessels in a new class of midshore patrol vessels would be named the Hero-class patrol vessels.[2][3][4] One of the new vessels is named the CCGS Private Robertson V.C..
References
- ↑ Canadian Great War Project
- ↑ "Harper Government Names New Coast Guard Vessels in Honour of Canadian Heroes". Canada News Service. 2011-02-10. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=/index&nid=588459.
- ↑ Bryin Weese (2011-02-09). "Fallen Heroes to be honoured with namesake ships Thursday". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/02/09/17217001.html.
- ↑ "Canadian Coast Guard's "Hero Class" Of Vessels". Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 2011-02-10. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/infocus-alaune/2011/mspv-npsh-eng.html.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)
External links
- JAMES PETER ROBERTSON (service/personal details, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
- Legion Magazine Article on James Robertson
- Find-A-Grave profile for James Robertson
