Clement Robertson

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Photo by Terry Macdonald

Clement Robertson (15 December 1890- 4 October 1917) was born at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and was a South African 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.

He was 26 years old, and an acting Captain in The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, British Army, Special Reserve, Tank Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 4 October 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium, Captain Robertson led his tanks in attack under heavy shell, machine-gun and rifle fire over ground which had been ploughed by shell-fire. He and his batman had spent the previous three days and nights going back and forth over the ground, reconnoitring and taping routes, and, knowing the risk of the tanks missing the way, he now led them on foot, guiding them carefully towards their objective, although he must have known that this action would almost certainly cost him his life. He was killed after the objective had been reached, but his skilful leading had already ensured success.

Grave/memorial at Buried at Oxford Road Cemetery, Belgium. 2m NE of Ypres. Plot II. Row F. Grave 7. Headstone (shows age as 28).

He is commemorated in his parish church at Delgany, County Wicklow and in Delgany Golf Club, of which he was a founder member, where his name is the first on the President's Cup. Ian Robertson (great nephew of Clement) thinks that Clarence's father, an officer in the Royal Artillery, may have been serving in South Africa when Clement was born on 15 December 1890. The family have lived in Ireland for many generations and Clement grew up in Delgany, although he went to school at Haileybury before attending Trinity College, Dublin.