James Peter Robertson

James Peter Robertson

James Peter Robertson VC
Born 26 October 1883
Albion Mines, Nova Scotia
Died 6 November 1917 (aged 34)
Passchendaele, Belgium
Buried Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele
Allegiance  Canada
Service/branch Canadian Expeditionary Force
Years of service 1915 - 1917
Rank Private
Unit 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion
Battles/wars

World War I

Awards Victoria Cross

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.

Peter Robertson earned the Victoria Cross during the final assault on Passchendaele, Belgium, 6 November 1917 with the 27th Infantry Battalion. His platoon was held up by barbed wire and a German machine gun. He was able to dash round to an opening on the flank of the enemy position and rush the gun. After a desperate struggle, Robertson killed four of the crew, then turned the enemy gun on the remainder. This enabled his platoon to continue towards its objective, with Robertson still firing the captured gun at the enemy as it retreated. Later when two of his own snipers were wounded in front of their trench, he went out and carried one of them in under severe fire, but when he returned with the second man, he was killed by a bursting shell.[2][3]

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.[4][5][6] One of the new vessels will be named the CCGS Private Robertson V.C..

Robertson's grave

See also

References

  1. ↑ Canadian Great War Project
  2. ↑ "No. 30471". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 1918. pp. 724–725.
  3. ↑ National Defence and the Canadian Forces, Victoria Cross Bios
  4. ↑ "Harper Government Names New Coast Guard Vessels in Honour of Canadian Heroes". Canada News Service. 2011-02-10. Archived from the original on 2012-11-18.
  5. ↑ Bryin Weese (2011-02-09). "Fallen Heroes to be honoured with namesake ships Thursday". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on 2012-11-18.
  6. ↑ "Canadian Coast Guard's "Hero Class" Of Vessels". Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 2011-02-10. Archived from the original on 2012-11-18.
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