ROBERTSON, Douglas Hamilton
| Service Number: | 5170 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 September 1915, Armidale, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Tamworth, NSW, 21 September 1895 |
| Home Town: | Tamworth, Tamworth Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | All Saints' College Bathurst |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk |
| Died: | St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, 27 July 1967, aged 71 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour Book |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5170, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Armidale, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 5170, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: SS Makarini embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 1 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 5170, 3rd Infantry Battalion, SS Makarini, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
DOUGLAS HAMILTON ROBERTSON was born on 20th September, 1895, at Tamworth, New South Wales, his mother being Mrs. Muriel Constance Robertson, matron at Wentworth Falls. He was educated at All Saints College, Bathurst, and joined the Bank’s staff at Tamworth in March, 1913.
Douglas Robertson enlisted in the A.I.F. on 7th September, 1915, and served in France with the 4th Battalion, being promoted to lieutenant on 1st May, 1917. He was on active service until the end of the war, and for his gallantry and devotion to duty received congratulations from General Rawlinson, and was awarded the Military Cross. In April, 1919, General Birdwood wrote to Lieutenant Robertson as follows:
“Dear Robertson,
I send you my heartiest congratulations on the Military Cross, which I am so pleased to see has been awarded to you for your conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in our operations near Hargicourt on 18th September last.
“At one stage of the attack your platoon was held up by a machine-gun post. With the assistance of one man only you pushed forward and rushed this post, which you found to be held by 15 Germans. You yourself shot four of the enemy and put the machine-gun out of action, when the remainder of the garrison surrendered to you. “Later you were responsible for the capture of three other machine-guns and a number of prisoners. Throughout these operations you displayed untiring energy and good leadership and set a splendid example to your men.
“With kind regards and good wishes for the future,
Yours sincerely,
W. R. Birdwood.”
Source - Bank of NSW Roll of Honour
Military Cross
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack near Hargicourt, on 18th September 1918. His platoon was held up and accompanied by one man he advanced and rushed an enemy machine gun post held by fifteen enemy. He personally shot four of the enemy, put the machine gun out of action, and captured the remainder of the post, so enabling his platoon to continue the advance. Later, he was responsible for the capture of three other machine guns, and a number of prisoners. He set a splendid example of courage and dash.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 129
Date: 20 November 1919
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