Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry


Two bombing parties were hurriedly formed, and advanced along the trenches, killed the machine gunners and captured their guns. To get these and the snipers, a party had to enter and pass through a dug-out, and climb a stair, into a concrete apertured little fort, the holders of which were thoroughly surprised at their secret entrance having been discovered. In the afternoon the Battalion, which by that time consisted of 90 men under Major Robertson, with Captains Morrison and Murray and 2/Lieutenants Lupton and Mackay, went through Beaumont-Hamel and consolidated the final objective as arranged. By 4pm the Division had gained its objective and the complete defensive system was in our hands, while over 1700 prisoners, of whom the 5th Seaforth claimed 600, had been sent to the rear. The Battalion remained in the line until the night of 14/15th November, and during these two days, the casualties were: 94 killed or died of wounds; 193 wounded and 5 missing, including 2/Lieutenants Angus Mackay and B. Holroyd, killed and 9 Officers wounded. Major Robertson, as senior Officer in the advance, displayed great coolness, working out the proper line of advance by compass, when sense of direction was lost owing to the fog. He collected the scattered parties under heavy fire and, when attacked by an enemy bombing party, he drove them off and finally led his men to the fourth line, which he consolidated and held. In this battle, the Battalion earned high praise for its fighting qualities; the Corps Commander, writing to the Division after the battle said, ‘All the world looks upon the capture of Beaumont-Hamel as one of the greatest feats of the war, and to those who know the ground and defences, it must always be a marvellously fine performance.’


Among the honours awarded were the Distinguished Service Order to Major J. J. Robertson, Military Crosses to 2/Lieutenants Lupton and A. J. Mackay, a Military Medal Second Award Bar to Company Sergeant-Major Goddard, and 10 Military Medals.’


Robertson received his second Mention in Field Marshal Haig’s despatch of 9 April 1917, almost certainly also as a result of the action at Beaumont-Hamel.


After the Great War he commanded the 4/5th Seaforth Highlanders T.A. from 1924 to 1928 and was promoted Brevet Colonel in 1928. From 1919 until 1954 he was a member of the Northern War Pensions Committee being Chairman for the last five years and he was awarded the M.B.E. in 1954 for this work. The Colonel died at his home ‘Norwood’ in Wick in 1966 aged 88.


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