ROBERTSON, GEORGE
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment/Service:
Grave Reference:
Text on stone:
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment/Service:
Grave Reference:
Text on stone:
Private
14233445
17/09/1944
21
Devonshire Regiment 2nd Bn.
II. A. 10.
Courageously he gave his life that we may live. God grant him eternal rest
Additional Information:
Son of Charles and Dorothy Robertson, of Bensham, Co. Durham.
George Robertson served with the 2nd Battalion Devons. On the 17th of September 1944 his unit was part of an operation called “Market Garden”. The Devons were clearing the flanks for the Irish Guards during their race to reach Arnhem. Next to the road from Lommel, Belgium, toward Valkenswaard, George Robertson was killed.
George was part of a family of seven, four brothers (including me) and two sisters.
When George was killed in battle in 1944, this was followed by brother Charles (Charlie) who died after a long illness in 1945 aged twelve years old. In 1947 brother William (Bill) was killed in an accident at his workplace. Three brothers passed away in those few years. Very hard for my parents to cope with.
My other two sisters lived to a ripe old age , Margaret (Peggy) and Jean, also brother Robert (Bob). I am the remaining survivor of the immediate family
My niece Anne reminded me that my mother spoke about a visit from one of George’s army friends who was there on the day of George’s death. He said on that day, when the allies were possibly under German attack, he saw a tin of corned beef roll past him where he was dug in. He said he knew there and then that George had been killed, as he carried this tin of corned beef everywhere perhaps to open on a special day. I would presume this was given to him by my mother when George was last home.
Original gravesite along the road from Belgium towards Valkenswaard.
From the service records of George Robertson, the following account can be reconstructed.
George Robertson was born on 29 August 1923 in Gateshead, County Durham. In civilian life he worked as a wire rope strander. He was not married.
He enlisted in the British Army on 16 June 1942 and joined the General Service Corps. On 12 August 1943 he was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry, and on 26 August 1944 to the Devonshire Regiment.
George Robertson embarked for service in North West Europe on 11 June 1944.
According to his service records, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes.
George Robertson was killed in action on 17 September 1944.
Page from George his paybook. These books were always kept in the soldiers his uniform, so this must be collected from him after George his death.
Letter about the payment of George his allowens.
George his medals brought over for the first time in 2014. The capbadges are from the Durham Light Infantry, which suggests that George was transferred from the DLI to the Devons.
George his original grave marker.
George his parents visit his grave.
Brother Stan (second from the left) with his family at the grave of George at the 17th of September commemoration in 2014, 70 years after George his death.