Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Death of Two Queensland Soldiers. MAJOR S. B. ROBERTSON AND LIEUT. J. P. ROBERTS. RECEIPT OF TIDINGS IN IPSWICH.

Yesterday residents of Ipswich were brought to realise one of the consequences of the war when tidings were received by telegram from the Defence Department that the first engagement of the Australian forces near the Dardanelles had resulted in the loss of two capable officers, namely, Major S. B. Robertson (son of the Rev. Joseph Robertson, M.A., pastor of the Ipswich Central Congregational Church) and Lieut. J. P. Roberts, who was well known in local military circles as the officer commanding the C Company, 11th Infantry. The sad intelligence soon spread throughout the city, and many persons waited on the relatives of the two officers and condoled with them on their loss. That loss, great as it is, is somewhat assauged by the fact that the officers named did their duty nobly and well, and the reflection that they have given their lives in the service of the Empire they loved, must be some consolation to those who have been so suddenly bereaved. A message was received by Col. W. T. Deacon, who communicated the intelligence of the death of Lieut. Roberts to Canon T. L. H. Jenkyn, as the deceased's minister, and also informed the Rev. Joseph Robertson and family of their loss. When the information was posted up yesterday morning on the board in front of this office, large numbers assembled to peruse the notice. The Union Jack at the Town Hall and other buildings was flown half-mast throughout the remainder of the day, as a tribute to the memory of the fallen soldiers. Major Sydney Beresford Robertson was a member of the 9th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Forces, and whilst in Ipswich he was a lieutenant in the 10th Battalion. He was 27 years of age. He had intended to adopt the military profession as his life work. Consequently, on the removal of his family to Ipswich, he did not seek civil employment, but spent two years as a military student, preparing for a position on the permanent staff. Lord Kitchener's visit, and the adoption of his scheme for an Australian Military College, altered his plans, as Kitchener's scheme required that officers should be appointed from the military college. Major Robertson was then just past the age that made that possible for him. He therefore relinquished the idea of a military life, and entered the office of Messrs. Walker and Walker, in a confidential position but he kept up his connection with the Queensland military forces. He was a lieutenant in the 9th Infantry, under Col. Hopkins, and was promoted to captain. He was transferred to the Intelligence Corps, and was gazetted as Major on 1st June, 1914. On the outbreak of war he was on of the first to volunteer, and was transferred back to the Infantry, in which he was appointed Captain of B Company of the 9th Battalion, with honorary rank of Major, but was gazetted substantive Major on the 1st of January, 1915.

Deceased was a most enthusiastic officer, taking great interest in the work, and in his men. Consequently, he was greatly adored by his company, and regarded as a very efficient officer. He made it his endeavour to bring up the efficiency of his company. While Lieutenant of E Company in Adelaide, through his captain's illness, the charge of the company fell upon him, and his captain's testimony to his good work was most pronounced. Not only did the company quickly increase in numbers, but his squad won the Tennyson Cup. A match between the military and Government House, Adelaide, was won by the military. Lieut. Robertson, as he then was, putting up a score of 19, the only higher score being 27. Lord Dudley, the Governor-General, was a member of the Government House team. Amongst his brother-officers he was a great favourite on account of his bright disposition and his happy faculty of keeping everybody amused. Before going to the war Major Beresford Robertson was a member of the Young Men's Class and of the Young Men's Club connected with the Central Congregational Church, Ipswich. He was also a member of the Ipswich Parliamentary Debating Class, the St. Paul's Cricket Club, and of the committee of the United Service Institution of Queensland. His brothers both of whom are members of Australian Expeditionary forces, are Capt.-Chaplain the Rev. Gordon Robertson, B.A., and Mr. Harold Ross Robertson. The death of Major S. B. Robertson is the first break in the family of the Rev. Joseph and Mrs. Robertson..." - from the Queensland Times 06 May 1915 (nla.gov.au)