James Peter Robertson

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For other persons named James Robertson, see James Robertson (disambiguation).

Photo by Terry Macdonald

James Peter Robertson (October 26, 1883 - November 6, 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.

1 Details
2 Further information
3 The medal
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Details

Born in Albion Mines, Pictou, Nova Scotia, 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 just as he returned with the second man.