THE VICTORIA CROSS AND FIRST WORLD WAR CAMPAIGN MEDAL PAIR AWARDED TO PRIVATE JAMES ROBERTSON, 27TH BN, ( CITY OF WINNIPEG ), CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM .
16 November 2022

Medal entitlement of Private James Peter Robertson,
27th Bn ( City of Winnipeg ), Canadian Expeditionary Force

  • Victoria Cross
  • British War Medal ( 1914-19 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-20 )


The Victoria Cross and First World War campaign medals awarded to Private James Robertson, 27th Bn, ( City of Winnipeg ), Canadian Expeditionary Force, has been acquired by the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

The purchase of the Robertson Victoria Cross group was made possible with the support from the National Collection Fund and from individual donors. The Robertson VC was also purchased with suppport from the Hon Colonel ( Ret'd ) Brian Hastings.


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 11 January 1918 ], Passchendaele, Belgium, 6 Novembere 1917, Private James Peter Robertson, 27th Bn, ( City of Winnipeg ), Canadian Expedionary Force.

For most conspicuous bravery and outstanding devotion to duty in attack ( Passchendaele, Belgium ).

When his platoon was held up by uncut wire and a machine gun causing many casualties, Private Robertson dashed to an opening on the flank, rushed the machine gun and, after a desperate struggle with the crew, killed four and then turned the gun on the remainder, who, overcome by the fierceness of his onslaught, were running towards their own lines. His gallant work enabled the platoon to advance.

He inflicted many more casualties among the enemy, and then carrying the captured machine gun, he led his platoon to the final objective. He there selected an excellent position and got the gun into action, firing on the retreating enemy who by this time were quite demoralised by the fire brought to bear on them.

During the consolidation Private Robertson’s most determined use of the machine gun kept down the fire of the enemy snipers; his courage and his coolness cheered his comrades and inspired them to the finest efforts. Later, when two of our snipers were badly wounded in front of our trench, he went out and carried one of them in under very severe fire. He was killed just as he returned with the second man..

James Robertson died on the same day as his Victoria Cross action and is buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium.

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Iain Stewart, 16 November 2022