TOPIC:

Good morning

Can you help me discover more of Charles Graham Robertson's Boer War history. In WW1 he was awarded a MM and a Victoria Cross.
He held The Queen's South African Medal ( Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal Clasps). Forces War Records tell that he his service number was 14970, and that he served in the 4th Battalion.
Other sources record 7th battalion ( volunteered in 1901 as Graham Robertson) in Cambridges Own IY, and was then assigned to 34th Coy Middlesex IY, transferring to 69th Coy 7th Battalion IY.
where were his sites of action?
thank you

Where did he serve in SA

Hello Herbert

Charles Robertson started work with the London Brighton & South Coast Railway in 1893 as a railway booking clerk. He later joined the army, fighting in the Boer War, for which he was awarded the Queen’s South African Medal. He came to regard that war as dishonourable and preferred not to talk about his part in it.

Interestingly I found 2 medal rolls to a Private C Robertson 14970 who served in the 28th Coy Bedfordshire Imperial Yeomanry.
Medal clasps awarded were Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg and 1901 date clasp. (Note - original regimental number was 14973 but the 3 has been crossed out and replaced with a zero) Medal roll WO100/121

Margin Note states employed on Government Railways South Africa. A coincidence? or could this be your WW1 VC/ MM man?
Looking at his VC medal group, his QSA reflects the clasps you mentioned, however the regimental number 14970 is recorded against the Bedford Yeomanry C Robertson.

Some confusion here:

Charles (no use of Graham as a middle name) Robertson 14970(3) is not the VC winner - he was born in Melbourne, Australia and on enlistment his father was living in Tasmania. He earned a QSA with J,CC,OFS,SA01.

The VC winner appears to be Graham Robertson (no use of Charles) 33693 35th (Middlesex) Company, 11th bn IY. His father was James Robertson of Dorking. In this source on CG Robertson, VC Dorking features heavily. On his IY enlistment his birthplace is Penrith, Cumbria - where he went to live with his Uncle James and Aunt Catherine - they all moved to Dorking in 1885.

His QSA entitlement is CC,OFS,T,SA01,SA02, the date clasps were returned in 1906. He also served with the 69th (Sussex) and 53rd (East Kent) companies during the war.

Delighted to learn about another MM winner (and VC too!) - The Register has been updated.

Regards
Meurig

Hi Meurig
Some confusion...you can say that again
Many thanks for clarification, much appreciated.
Good to know his correct regimental number .
Having now found the right man, his papers say he served for 1 year and 150 days in South Africa and he was discharged on the 11th August 1902.

PS Why were both date clasps returned in 1906? Would he have been entitled to the 1901?

As for the original question posted by Herbert regarding where Pte Robertson may have been during his time in South Africa. Have a look at www.britishempire.co.uk . Ref Middlesex Yeomanry.

As for the original question posted by Herbert regarding where Pte Robertson may have been during his time in South Africa. Have a look at www.britishempire.co.uk . Armed Services/ Army / Yeomanry / County of London Yeomanry /Middlesex.