Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Ventnor -
- St Catherine's Church : Alan Diarmid Campbell Robertson Memorial -

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ALAN DIARMID CAMPBELL ROBERTSON, R.N.
MIDSHIPMAN, H.M.S. "ABOUKIR"
YOUNGEST SON OF ROBERT & MARY ROBERTSON, OF ST CATHARINE'S HOUSE IN THIS PARISH
BORN AUGUST 10:1899, LOST WITH HIS SHIP IN ACTION IN THE NORTH SEA, SEPTEMBER 22;1914
"BEING MADE PERFECT IN A LITTLE WHILE HE FULFILLED LONG YEARS"
----
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY FRIENDS AS A TOKEN OF SYMPATHY WITH THE BEREAVED
AND IN APPRECIATION OF SERVICE RENDERED TO THE EMPIRE

Isle of Wight County Press

26 September 1914

ISLAND MIDSHIPMEN LOST
The tragic news of the naval disaster was received with poignant sorrow at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, where the cadets serving on the three ill-fated cruisers received their early naval training. They only passed out of Osborne College to the senior College at Dartmouth either early in the present year or last year. Of 29 of these young midshipmen who were serving on the sunken cruisers, 13 are officially reported missing and are presumed to have perished. This list of 13 lost alas! includes two members of well known Island families. Midshipman Geoffrey G. Gore-Browne, only grandson of the late Col. H. Gore-Browne V.C., J.P., and Midshipman Alan Diarmid Campbell Robertson, youngest son of Dr. Robertson, J.P., of Ventnor. Both were serving on H.M.S. Aboukir. Deep regret has been occasioned in the Island at the loss of these gallant young midshipmen, and the sincerest sympathy is felt for their esteemed relatives. Midshipman Gore-Browne, who was the only surviving male member of that distinguished soldier, the late Col. Gore-Browne, V.C., gave promise of a most successful career in the Service, as did Midshipman Robertson. Both were just over 15 years of age and they left Osborne Naval College early this year for Dartmouth. Midshipman Gore-Browne was a cadet captain at Osborne in 1913, and during the latter part of his training there he proved his merit by reaching the position of chief cadet captain. How little was it realised that these brave lads would so soon be called upon to sacrifice their lives for their country. What a noble and inspiring example they have left for those who succeed them at Osborne.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, April 9, 1915 Page 5

Memorial to Midshipman
Alan Robertson
On Wednesday afternoon a beautifully executed brass tablet in memory of Midshipman Alan Diarmid C. Robertson, R.N. (son of Dr. and Mrs. Robertson, of St. Catherine's House, Ventnor), who lost his life by the torpedoing of H.M.S. Aboukir on September 22nd, 1914, was unveiled and dedicated in St. Catherine's Parish Church. The tablet has been placed on the south wall of the new aisle. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. Sells, M.A., Rector of Niton, in the presence of relatives and friends of the deceased officer. The Vicar read a few prayers, the 23rd Psalm was recited and the Rev. J.F. Andrewes read a portion of Scripture. The clergy then proceeded to the memorial, a cloth covering the tablet was drawn aside and the dedicatory prayer was read by the Rev. W. Sells, who afterwards gave a brief but touching address from the pulpit. He said they met to do a simple act and one which touched a chord of deep sympathy in all their hearts. He had had an unbroken connection of 25 years with those who were mourners on that occasion, and he had performed the ceremony at the request of the Vicar. Mr. Sells then went on to say that it was the case of one being taken and the other left. [Mr. Sells's own son was a survivor of the disaster.] It was not easy to find words in the presence of those to whom the memorial meant so much, and to whom it spoke so silently of love, sorrow, sacrifice and hope. They had just celebrated two great days which told of sacrifice and hope. The speaker then drew some practical lessons from the Crucifixion and Resurrection. He would leave two Scriptural thoughts with them - "The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God" and "Verily shalt thou be with me in Paradise." After the address a short prayer and the Blessing concluded the service.
The memorial brass is 41in. by 19in., on a solid oak 3in. moulded mount. It is engraved with the naval crown and crossed flags, with ribbon "H.M.S. Aboukir," rope borders, sea shells, seaweed and fish, on bronzed ground. The inscription is as follows: -

"In Loving memory of Alan Diarmid Campbell Robertson, R.N., Midshipman, H.M.S. Aboukir, youngest son of Robert and Mary Robertson, of St. Catherine's House, in this parish. Born August 10th, 1899, lost with his ship in action in the North Sea, September 22nd, 1914. 'Being made perfect in a little while he fulfilled long years.'

"This Tablet is erected by friends as a token of sympathy with the bereaved and in appreciation of service rendered to the Empire."

The memorial was designed and engraved by Mr. Henry Osborne, engraver, etc., Union Street, Ryde.