James Charles Robertson, recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal

Item

Title

James Charles Robertson, recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal

Who?

James Charles Robertson. Sergeant (Aircraft Fitter), Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force.

Item(s)

1. Biography of James Charles Robertson with two photographs of him. 1 image.
2. Certificate of Transfer to Reserve on Demobilization for James Charles Robertson. 1 image.
3. Chart showing the connections between the Leslie/Robertson/Carnie families and military service. 1 image.
4. Letter from the Curator of Photographs at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, London about donation of photographs to the museum and matters to do with James Charles Robertson. 1 image.
5. Letter dated 27/01/1920 to Mr J C Robertson from R.A.F. Records, Blandford Camp, Dorset, England, about the award of the Meritorious Service Medal to him. 1 image.
6. Extract from the London Gazette dated 03/06/1918 about the award of the Meritorious Service Medal to Sgt J C Robertson. 1 image.
7. Medals of James Charles Robertson and packaging for medals. 8 images.

Story

James Charles Robertson was an uncle. He was son of George Robertson and Jessie Robertson (née Carnie). He was born on 24/11/1884 at Midmill, Kintore, Scotland. He was the second James Charles Robertson in the family. The first accidentally drowned in the mill lade at Midmill, Kintore, in June 1882 aged 18 months. James Charles Robertson was an apprentice watchmaker at Ellon in 1901. He married Helen Jane Rose Leslie, daughter of James Leslie and Catherine Smith Leslie. His brothers, William Alexander Robertson and John Cameron Robertson, and cousins William James Carnie and John Carnie all served in the armed services in the First World War.

James Charles Robertson enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 19/05/1916. He was in the Royal Air Force when this was set up. His service number was 28924. He was an aircraft fitter with rank up to sergeant. Some of his photographs show a Sopwith Camel which served with 28 Squadron. In November 1917 that unit left the Western Front for Italy. He was, however, definitely located at San Pietro In Gu, Veneto, Italy, which suggests that he was with 7th Aircraft Park, recovering and repairing wrecks. He did serve in H Flight, 66 Squadron in Italy and the middle East. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

On 13/07/1919 he was transferred to the reserve. He lived at Cricklewood, London. His occupation was watchmaker and jeweller. He died on 09/11/1972 at Highgate Hospital, London.

When?

19/05/1916; 13/07/1919

Where?

Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. San Pietro In Gu, Veneto, Italy. Middle East.

Contributor

Mr and Mrs G Wood

Collection Day

Digital Collection Day: 27/02/2019, Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen.

This item was submitted on April 24, 2019