2nd Lieutenant
George Cockburn ROBERTSON
Infantry
Died: 21st July 1915 - Age: 37

Commemorated:

1. Memorial:La Chapelle D'Armentieres Communal CemeteryH.10
2. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.133
3. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour19A GQS
    

Awards & Titles:

 

Family :

Son of William and Jane Robertson, of Alnwick, Northumberland.

“In Memory of the Brave.” — In Clayport Presbyterian Church on Sunday, after morning service, there was unveiled an elegant brass mural tablet placed in the eastern wall of the church. It is to the memory of 2nd Lieutenant George Cockburn Robertson, of the 6th Durham Light Infantry, who lost his life in action 2 years ago, in France. 2nd Lieutenant Robertson belonged to the old Alnwick family of Robertson, who for years played a prominent part in the business and civic life of the town. His late father, Mr William Robertson, was a member, and for a period chairman of the Alnwick Local Board of Health, and for several years afterwards was a member of the Urban District Council. 2nd Lieutenant Robertson had cut out for him a most promising career which was begun in Messrs. Lambton and Company’s Bank, at Alnwick. He had a natural aptitude and ability for his work and was soon placed in important and trustworthy positions in their banks at Blyth and Rothbury. When Messrs. Lambton’s became merged with Messrs Lloyds Bank, he was appointed chief clerk in Alnwick, but was soon afterwards invested with the managership of their branch at Bishop Auckland. At all these places the young man gained the goodwill of all the people through his sunny and urbanity. He was extremely popular on the sports field and in musical circles. Wherever he went everyone had a good word to see of him, and his loss has been much felt. The service was opened with the hymn “ For all Saints who from their labours rest.” Followed by a reading from the Scriptures by the Reverend W.L. Fordyce, minister of the church the unveiling ceremony was performed by the deceased’s eldest brother Mr Adam Robertson, representative for Messrs Lever Bros. Glasgow, who travel especially for the purpose. The dedication was made by Reverend W.L.Fordyce. The tablet bears the inscription “in loving memory of 2nd Lieutenant George Cockburn Robertson, 6th Durham Light Infantry beloved youngest son of the late William and Jane Robertson of the town, who fell in action in his 37th year at Armentieres, July 21st, 1915” a tribute to the wordiness of 2nd Lieutenant Robertson was paid by Mr John Balmbra, sessions clerk. He said that the late Mr William Robertson, deceased’s father, was all of his life one of the congregation’s most respected members, and office bearer for many years.[...]"

See also: Fusilier.co.uk - N.E. Northumberland WW1 Great War Casualties.

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: 1/6 Durham Light Infantry 

1/6th Battalion August 1914 : at Bishop Auckland. Part of DLI Brigade, Northumbrian Division. Moved to Bolden Colliery in early August, then Ravensworth Park. Was at Newcastle by October. 17 April 1915 : landed at Boulogne. 14 May 1915 : became 151st Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division. 3 June 1915 : after taking heavy casualties, 1/6th and 1/8th Bns merged to form 6/8th Bn. Resumed original identity 11 August 1915. 15 July 1918 : reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication. 16 August 1918 : transferred to 117th Brigade in 39th Division. 6 November 1918 : disbanded in France.

Action : Other actions in Spring 1915 

The official dates cover the period from 15th June 1915 to 8th August 1915. This is the period on the Western Front following the piecemeal engagements North of the La Bassee canal at Aubers Ridge, Festubert & Givenchy but before the Battle of Loos, the largest Western Front battle of 1915.

Detail :

Year of Warrant 1867 Masonic Hall, Prudhoe Street, Alnwick, Northumberland 2nd Lieutenant George Cockburn ROBERTSON Durham Light Infantry 6th Battalion The son of William and Jane Robertson of Alnwick, Northumberland he was a Bank Clerk and was Initiated on the 12th May 1909; Passed 8th June 1909 (1st September 1909) and Raised on the 24th August 1909 (6th October 1909). The dates in brackets are in the Record Book but there is no explanation. He was killed in action on the 21st July 1915 aged 37 and is buried in La Chepelle D'armentieres Communal Cemetery,Nord, France, Grave Reference H.10. He is Remembered on the Alnwick War Memorial.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 27 July 1915 "LIEUT. GEO. C. ROBERTSON, of the 6th Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action on Wednesday last. Mr. Robertson, who was 36 years of age, was for a time manager of Messrs. Lambton and Company's Bank with Messrs. Lloyds, Lieut. Robertson was appointed manager of their branch at Bishop Auckland in 1911. On war being declared he enlisted into the 6th Durham Light Infantry, obtaining a subaltern's commission. He was a capital cricketer and football player, and a good swimmer. In social and musical circles he was equally active, being a fine singer and entertainer. He was a Freemason."

Commemorated at Family Grave at Alnwick Cemetery and at the entrance vestibule of St James’s United Reformed Church on Pottergate in Alnwick, Northumberland.
See also: War Memorials Trust.

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : Alnwick No. 1167 E.C.Northumberland
Joined : Vane No. 3110 E.C. Durham

Initiated
Passed
Raised
12th May 1909
1st September 1909
24th October 1909
 

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2019-08-12 16:40:46