Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Thiepval Memorial, Picardie | Pier and Face 10A | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.133 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 2D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of Matthew and Annie Robertson, of 9, Woodlands Rd., Darlington.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 8/Black Watch |
| Action : The Battles of the Somme 1916 |
The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.
Detail :
11th Battalion attached 8th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
Probate ROBERTSON James Horan of Woodleigh Woodlands-road Darlington died 18 July 1916 in France Administration Durham 22 August to Matthew Robertson Lloyds register surveyor. Effects £437 19s. 10d.
He has no known grave and is therefore commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Phoenix No. 94 E.C. | Durham |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
3rd June 1914 | 8th July 1914 | 2nd September 1914 |
Listed as a 27 year old Marine Engineer from Sunderland at the time of his initiation in 1914. War service is recorded for him in 1915 and his contribution register line is closed out with "Killed 18th July 1916 [?m. A.S?]."
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley