Clement Robertson
Captain, Special Reserve, Tank Corps
- Register No.
- 1065 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- Special Reserve, Tank Corps (register: Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment) all Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 4 October 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th December 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 15th December 1890 at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Died
- in action on 4th October 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium
- Memorial / grave
- at Oxford Road Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium
Digest of citation
For most conspicuous bravery whilst leading his tanks in an attack under extremely heavy shell, machine gun and rifle fire, over terrain which had been ravaged by shellfire. Knowing the risk of the tanks losing their way, Captain Robertson and his batman had, for three days and nights, been reconnoitring and recording the available routes they would take. With this in mind, he opted to lead the tanks on foot. Although he must have known that this practice would almost certainly cost him his life, he continued to lead the tanks to their objective. His skilful and brave direction, during this operation, ensured the success of the action. He was killed after the operation had been achieved successfully
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ROBERTSON, Clement. (reg No. 1065).
Captain. Special Reserve, Tank Corps. * London Gazetted on 18th December 1917.
Born on 15th December 1890 at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Killed in action on 4th October 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium.
Memorial on grave at Oxford Road Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.
Digest of Citation reads: For most conspicuous bravery whilst leading his tanks in an attack under extremely heavy shell, machine gun and rifle fire, over terrain which had been ravaged by shellfire. Knowing the risk of the tanks losing their way, Captain Robertson and his batman had, for three days and nights, been reconnoitring and recording the available routes they would take. With this in mind, he opted to lead the tanks on foot. Although he must have known that this practice would almost certainly cost him his life, he continued to lead the tanks to their objective. His skilful and brave direction, during this operation, ensured the success of the action. He was killed after the operation had been achieved successfully.
* Late of Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment.
* Late of Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Oxford Road Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium
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