William Robertson

William Robertson was commissioned in the Royal Engineers in July 1892. The first ten years of his career were spent in India with 2nd Queen Victoria’s Own Sappers and Miners, including five years as Adjutant. He saw active service with the Chitral Relief Force, the Malakand Defence Force and the Tirah Expedition. After passing staff college, Robertson’s career took the staff path, first as GSO3 at the War Office and then (1910) as GSO2 Canadian Forces.

When the war broke out he was Chief Instructor at the RMA with the rank of major, but in December 1914 he went to France as GSO2 V Corps, then forming. On 19 March 1915 he was severely wounded by a bullet in his thigh. It was almost a day before he was found, having been in great pain and under constant sniper fire.

He did not return to duty until January 1916 and to active service until July 1916, first as GSO2 in France, then as GSO1 in Italy. He was awarded the DSO. During the last few months of the war he served as BGGS at GHQ and at the end of war became BGGS VII Corps.

After a period as Military Attaché in Stockholm Colonel Robertson retired from the army in May 1924.