Robert Shankland
Lieutenant, 43rd Battalion. Manitoba Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 1129 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 43rd Battalion. Manitoba Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force (register: 43rd Battalion, CEF) all CEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 26 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
- 10th October 1887 at St Quivox, Ayr, Scotland
- Died
- 20th January 1968, at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Memorial / grave
- Mountain View Crematorium (Garden of Remembrance), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; also on the lamp-post in Valour Road, Winnipeg. (Commemorating three VCs awarded in the same street)
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
Having gained a position at Passchendaele on 26th October 1917, Lieutenant Shankland organised the remnants of his own platoon and other men from various companies to command the foreground where they inflicted heavy casualties on the retreating Germans. He later dissipated a counter-attack, allowing for the arrival of support troops. He then communicated to his HQ a detailed evaluation of the brigade frontage. On its completion he rejoined his command, carrying on until relieved. His courage and his example undoubtedly saved a critical situation. Further Research required
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SHANKLAND, Robert. (reg No. 1129).
Lieutenant. 43rd Battalion. Manitoba Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 18th December 1917.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 10th October 1887 at St Quivox, Ayr, Scotland.
Died on 20th January 1968, at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Memorial at Mountain View Crematorium (Garden of Remembrance), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; also on the lamp-post in Valour Road, Winnipeg. (Commemorating three VCs awarded in the same street).
Digest of Citation reads: Having gained a position at Passchendaele on 26th October 1917, Lieutenant Shankland organised the remnants of his own platoon and other men from various companies to command the foreground where they inflicted heavy casualties on the retreating Germans. He later dissipated a counter-attack, allowing for the arrival of support troops. He then communicated to his HQ a detailed evaluation of the brigade frontage. On its completion he rejoined his command, carrying on until relieved. His courage and his example undoubtedly saved a critical situation. Further Research required
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Mountain View Crematorium (Garden of Remembrance), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; also on the lamp-post in Valour Road, Winnipeg. (Commemorating three VCs awarded in the same street)
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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