Clement Robertson VC

• Born at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 26 years old, and an acting Captain in The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, British Army, attached to A Battalion, Tank Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.[1]

The citation reads:

On 4 October 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium, Captain Robertson led his tanks in attack under heavy shell, machine-gun and rifle fire over ground which had been ploughed by shell-fire. He and his batman had spent the previous three days and nights going back and forth over the ground, reconnoitering and taping routes, and, knowing the risk of the tanks missing the way, he now led them on foot, guiding them carefully towards their objective, although he must have known that this action would almost certainly cost him his life. He was killed after the objective had been reached, but his skilful leading had already ensured success.[2]

He was buried at Oxford Road Cemetery, Belgium, 2 miles north-east of Ypres, in Plot II, Row F, Grave 7.