Lance Serjeant John Barclay Robertson

• Age: 27
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 2/6 KLR
• Died on Tuesday 1st October 1918
• Commemorated at: Sunken Road Boisleau
  Panel Ref: III.B.14

John Barclay Robertson was born in Liverpool on 21st April 1891 the son of Comdr Robert Malcolm Robertson RNR and Jessie Mary Robertson of 2A Stamfordham Drive, Springwood, Liverpool. He was baptised at St Peter's Church, Liverpool on 24/05/1891. His father's occupation was shown as a Mariner and the home address given as Gibson Street. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 52 Kingsley Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. His mother, Jessie Mary is the head of the household with his father probably away at sea. She is shown as born in Liverpool in 1866. John is 9 years of age and his siblings in the household are shown as; Charles b.1891 and Robert M. b.1895.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 19 Plattsville Road Mossley Hill, Liverpool. His mother, Jessie Mary is aged 45 and listed as the head of the household with her husband probably away at sea. They have been married for twenty two years and had seven children of which one had died. At the time of the Census, she has all of her surviving children living with her, Charles Malcolm is aged 20 and employed as a tailor, John Robertson is aged 19 and works as a clerk for a timber merchants, Robert Malcolm aged 16 is a scholar, Annie is aged 3, Helen May and Vera Stephanie are aged 1. There is also a domestic servant named Elizabeth Ann Hartley aged 19, born 1892 in Bootle listed at the address. 

John was educated at Sefton Park County Primary School and was admitted in 1902.
 
John enlisted in Liverpool on 14th September 1914 and gave his age as 23 years and 155 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was five feet seven inches tall, weighed 120lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

He was serving in  the 19th Battalion of the Kings Liverpool Regiment as Private 17937.    
7.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

22.10.16: Appointed paid Acting Lance Corporal.

29.12.16: Granted leave to the UK.

12.1.17: Rejoined his battalion.

18.2.17: Appointed paid Lance Corporal to complete establishment.

10.1.18: Promoted to Corporal.

6.4.18: Appointed paid Lance Serjeant.

27.6.18: To hospital at Etaples.

27.6.18: 24 General Hospital, Etaples Back mild.

27.6: 74 General Hospital at Etaples with mild Influenza.

13.9.18: Transferred to the 6th Battalion (2/6th) of the Kings Liverpool Regiment achieving the rank of Lance Serjeant. 

He was killed in action on 01st October 1918, aged 2,7 and is buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St-Marc where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"WAR'S BITTER COST".

Boisleux-St. Marc was occupied by Commonwealth troops in March 1917 following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. The 20th Casualty Clearing Station was established at Boisleux-au-Mont in June and the 43rd in November, but both had left by the end of March 1918. From April to almost the end of August part of Boisleux-St. Marc was once again in German hands. In September, October and November, six Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Boisleux-au-Mont for shorts periods. Sunken Road Cemetery was called at one time "Boisleux-au-Mont British Cemetery". It was begun by the hospitals in May 1917 and used until July when it began to be shelled. Four burials were made in March 1918 and it was completed the following September and October. The cemetery contains 416 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, two of them unidentified, and four German war graves.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 10th October 1918:

ROLL OF HONOUR

Died From Wounds

ROBERTSON - October 1, from wounds received in action on same date, after 3 years service, K.L.R., (late "Pals",) aged 27 years, JOHN, the dearly loved son of Lieutenant Com. R.N. Robertson and Mrs Robertson of 19 Plattsville Road, grandson of the late Mr John Barclay of Langdale Road, and devoted fiance of A.Tellet, Ivydale Road. (To know him was to love him.) Interred in Military Cemetery, Boyelles, France.

He served his country for four years and eighteen days.

John is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 44 Right. 

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