Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in Burke, NSW, he was the second youngest child, and the youngest son, of Isobel and John Robertson. The family moved around the state, to various properties. Around 1900, the family came to Tahmoor, and resided at ‘Couridjah’ on the main Southern Road. Struan became a jackaroo on his brother’s property at Angledool in northern NSW. When WWI broke out he enlisted in the infantry on 10/11/1914, as Private 1363, and was sent to join the 13th Battalion 1st Reinforcements.
Struan was with the battalion when they landed at Gallipoli. Whilst on the Gallipoli Peninsula he was wounded, and after some time on Lemnos was sent back to Gallipoli.
On 01/06/1916 his unit left Alexandria for Marseilles. While in France, he was involved in the Poziere campaign. On 12/08/1916, during the Battle for Mouquet Farm, somewhere between the farm and the Old Windmill Site, he was wounded in the lower back (Buttock). This was essentially the end of the war for him, and he was sent to England where he spent a considerable time in hospital. His injuries were very severe, and resulted in one leg being several inches shorter than the other, and no movement in the hip on that side.
Struan returned to Australia on the hospital ship ‘Karoola’ on 22/02/1917. After a long spell in hospital he received an honourable discharge from the Army on 12/10/1918. As a result of his war service he was awarded 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, and the ANZAC Commemorative Medallion.
He was living at his parents’ home in 1923 when his sister brought home, for Christmas, a young woman whose father had recently died, and with whom she shared a boarding house. The young woman, Dorothy Donald, was to eventually become his wife.
After his marriage, in 1927, he purchased a residence in Tahmoor and kept pigs (Rudolf, Mary, and Mona). When his younger daughter was a baby, the family moved to a house in Station Street (a misnomer, as it was nowhere near the station). Here he maintained a small farm, growing vegetables for the market, and providing the family with an abundant supply of fresh vegetables, eggs, and milk. Despite his injury, Struan was able to work hard physically, and occasionally play tennis, and even dance.
When WWII broke out he immediately enlisted in the Home Defence Corps, and was stationed at Ingleburn Army Camp for the duration of the war.
When peace came he became the local mail contractor, and for many years delivered the mail and papers to Tahmoor and Bargo several times per week. When he eventually retired, the local residents put on a farewell party, and he was presented with two leather armchairs and a wallet of money, as a token of appreciation.
When Dorothy died, in 1967, he remained alone in the home, now in Struan Street, as it had been renamed in his honour. He was a very popular man, very gentle, and loved his family dearly, as he himself was loved by them.
In 1971 Struan underwent surgery for cataracts in both eyes, and also suffered from glaucoma. On 22nd April 1972, almost 5 years to the day since Dorothy had died, he passed away peacefully in his leather rocking armchair, in front of the television, with his next day’s supply of rolled cigarettes on the arm of the chair. He was almost 83 years old.
He was an active member of many local associations: Progress Association, Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, and could always be called upon to help in any local crisis.