Thomas C Robertson likeness

Thomas C Robertson cap badgePrivate Thomas C Robertson

9th (Service) Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Service No: S/4849

Thomas C Robertson grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of William and Helen Robertson of 44c Main St, Coatbridge. Husband of Jessie Robertson (04/03/1889- ). They had 3 children, William Burns Robertson born 25/01/1910, John Thomson Robertson born 31/01/1912 and Thomas Carmoodie Kitchener Robertson born 30/08/1915 just 26 days before his father died. Two of Thomas' younger brothers also fell, Private John R Robertson of the 11th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry was Killed in Action on the 25/09/1915 at the Battle of Loos with Thomas. Another brother Private Robert G Robertson of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers Died of Wounds on the 24/04/1918. Brother William Robertson also served and survived the war. The only brother not to serve was Walter Robertson. Thomas' Pension was awarded to his wife Jessie of 16 Graham St, Tollcross, Glasgow. Their 3 children are also listed. Jessie remarried on the 09/02/1918 and became Mrs J Thomson.

Born / Resided

Anderston, Glasgow / Coatbridge

Died

Killed in Action on the 25/09/1915 on the opening day of the Battle of Loos

Enlisted

Coatbridge

Employed

Rivet Maker in Stobcross Rivet and Bolt Works

Age

34

Buried / Remembered

Loos Memorial (Panel 78 to 83), Pas de Calais, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the end of the war. On either side of the cemetery is a wall 15 feet high, to which are fixed tablets on which are carved the names of those commemorated. At the back are four small circular courts, open to the sky, in which the lines of tablets are continued, and between these courts are three semicircular walls or apses, two of which carry tablets, while on the centre apse is erected the Cross of Sacrifice.

Additional Information

ADDITIONAL FAMILY INFORMATION - From the 1891 Census - Address - 6 Main St, Anderston, Glasgow - William Robertson aged 43, Helen Robertson aged 39, William Robertson aged 14, Elizabeth Robertson aged 12, Thomas Robertson aged 10, Robert Robertson aged 8, Walter Robertson aged 5, John Robertson aged 3, Helen Robertson aged 2 weeks. From the 1901 Census - Address - 62 Merrystone St, Coatbridge - William Robertson aged 52, Helen Robertson aged 48, William Robertson aged 24, Thomas Robertson aged 20, Robert Robertson aged 18, Walter Robertson aged 15, John Robertson aged 13, Kelly Robertson aged 10, Annie Robertson aged 7. The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 08/07/1915 and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. Thomas arrived in France on the 14/07/1915. Thomas was Killed in Action on the opening day of the Battle of Loos, 25th September – 15th October 1915 : The first genuinely large scale British offensive action but once again only in a supporting role to a larger French attack in the Third Battle of Artois. British appeals that the ground over which they were being called upon to advance was wholly unsuitable were rejected. The battle is historically noteworthy for the first British use of poison gas. The Order of Battle - Battle of Loos 25/9/1915-8/10/1915 : Gas release to be made along Divisional Front from 5.50am with Zero hour set for 6.30am. In the first instance, Brigade to secure the German front-line area known as, ‘The Jews Nose’, and then press on to secure the enemy’s second line east of Loos village. Once these objectives had been captured, surviving troops were to press on and secure Hill 70. The Brigade was to attack with 9th Black Watch right and 8th Seaforth Highlanders left, both supported by 7th Cameron Highlanders. 10th Gordon Highlanders were to be held in reserve. 24/9/1915 Brigade to assembly trenches. ‘A’ Company vanguard. 25/9/1915 at 5.50am Gas release commenced followed by smoke release. Germany artillery responded immediately fearful of a British attack. At that time the wind changed, and the lethal gas blew back on the troops mustering to go ‘over the top’ at 6.30am, causing significant casualties and confusion. At the appointed time, the Battalion went into the attack and carried its initial objectives under heavy fire, suffering further significant casualties. By 8.30am, troops had begun to assault Hill 70, and later in the day attempts were made to press on to Cite St. Auguste and Dinamentiere. 26/9/1915 Battalion relieved at 1am, and fell back on Mazingarbe, where the roll was called. Twenty-two officers and six hundred and eighty other ranks failed to answer, having been either killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Survivors would have been asked for information pertaining to those who failed to answer the roll, and many men would have been subsequently accounted for. Scottish Regiments lost a huge amount of brave men at Loos. Here is a list of Infantry Battalions who lost more than 500 men at the Battle of Loos from 25/09/1915 to 16/10/1915 - 7th Cameron Highlanders 687, of which 19 Officers, 9TH BLACK WATCH 680, OF WHICH 20 OFFICERS, 6th King’s Own Scottish Borderers 650, of which 20 Officers, 10th Highland Light Infantry 648, of which 20 Officers, 7th King’s Own Scottish Borderers 631, of which 20 Officers, 8th Devons 619, of which 19 Officers, 8th Royal West Kents 580, of which 24 Officers, 8th Buffs 558, of which 24 Officers, 12th Highland Light Infantry 553, of which 23 Officers, 8th Black Watch 511, of which 19 Officers, 5th North Staffordshire 505, of which 20 Officers, 8th Seaforth Highlanders 502, of which 23 Officers. Thomas and his brother John were both Killed in Action on the opening day of the Battle of Loos. They were 2 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. See Directory for Thomas' younger brothers Robert and John's pages. See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Loos Memorial Panel List, Thomas' Pension Record, his name on the Loos Memorial and the Black Watch Cap Badge.

Photos
Thomas C Robertson Medal Index CardThomas C Robertson newspaper clippingThomas C Robertson newspaper clippingThomas C Robertson newspaper clippingThomas C Robertson remembered at homeThomas C Robertson remembered at homeThomas C Robertson remembered at homeThomas C Robertson additional photoThomas C Robertson additional photo

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