Charles Graham Robertson VC MM

Charles 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. In 1900, he answered his country’s call to volunteer for the Second South African War. He survived and returned to his job with the railway.

In 1915, he again volunteered for military service and was posted to the 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He was awarded a Military Medal and a Victoria Cross. 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 one of the first to volunteer.

This talk follows his life, 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.

David, our speaker, is a retired teacher and author of two books. He is a volunteer researcher for the Royal Fusiliers Museum at the Tower of London, and he lives in Cumbria. His book titled ‘The Stockbrokers' Battalion in the Great War’ was published in 2013.