L/Cpl Charles Graham Robertson VC MM

Charles Graham Robertson VC MM

 Talk with a different approach to the story of an individual soldier. This is the story of Charles Robertson’s life, his background, family and what he did after the war. An exemplar of how to trace an individual’s history.

The material for this talk is linked with my book, The Stockbrokers’ Battalion, published by Pen and Sword

Charles Graham Robertson was an unlikely hero. Born in Yorkshire and brought up by his aunt and uncle in Penrith and later in Dorking he had a strange family life but seems to have enjoyed school and playing sport. After school he worked as a clerk on the railway but in 1900 answered his country’s call to volunteer to serve in the Second South African War. He survived and returned to his job with the railway, but in 1915 he again volunteered for military service when he was posted to 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He was awarded a Military Medal and a Victoria Cross. 

Again returning to work on the railway he married at the age of 60 and died a few years later. He was known in Dorking as a very quiet and unassuming man, but when his country called in 1939 he was early to volunteer.

This talk follows his life from birth to death, unravels his family story and looks in some detail at his two military careers. A “Who Do You Think You Are” for an unlikely hero