Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Alan Diarmid Campbell Robertson -

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, August 21, 1914

Several local medical practitioners have sons actively engaged in various departments of the public service at the present time. Dr. Robertson, we hear, has a son in the field ambulance, and another a Naval cadet, and Dr. Robert's son has been given important work for one so young on a vessel in the first battle Squadron. Captain Whitehead, son of Dr. Whitehead is leaving to take up his post with his regiment on the West Coast of Africa.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, September 25, 1914 Page 1

The scourge of this terrible war has been brought to our very doors this week. It was well known locally that Diarmid Robertson, youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. Robertson, was a midshipman on board the Aboukir, and there were naturally many anxious and sympathetic enquiries when the loss of the vessel became known on Tuesday. Unhappily, the worst fears have been realised, and Midshipman Robertson has gone down with many of his gallant comrades. This terrible blow to our former chief magistrate will be shared with the deepest condolence by the whole of the townspeople. We hear that several other Ventnor families are bereaved as a result of the disaster to the three cruisers on Tuesday.

Friday, September 25, 1914 Page 4

DEATH
ROBERTSON. - On 22nd September, lost in H.M.S. Aboukir, in the North Sea, Midshipman Alan Diarmid Campbell Robertson, R.N., aged 15, dearly-loved youngest son of Robert Robertson, M.D., J.P., of Ventnor, I.W.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 2, 1914 Page 1

As was only to be expected, Dr. and Mrs. Robertson have received signal proof of the widespread sorrow which the death of their youngest son in the naval disaster last week has aroused. References to their bereavement were made during the sermon at both services at the Parish Church on Sunday last. In this connection we desire to call attention to an ably-written "In Memoriam" notice from the pen of the Vicar which appears in the current issue of the St. Catherine's Parish Church Magazine, which commences with the sentence "Probably never in the history of our Parish has there been a deeper feeling of sympathy exhibited than that which has been manifested towards Dr. and Mrs. Robertson in the sad and untimely death of their youngest son." The article goes on to review the life of Midshipman Robertson.

"As a child, and throughout his short but busy life, he showed an intelligence and ability conspicuous among his fellows. A cheerful, happy lad; never happier than when at work or doing something, enquiring, devising, or making something that quite engrossed him, or buried in a book in his leisure time. Always working with concentrated attention and energy; never needing to be entertained, never bored, always happy. And so his school life at Cheltenham College and at Stubbington was immensely successful. His masters were proud of his ability, perseverance and industry, and prophesied great things regarding the future. "In the larger and more strenuous life of the Royal Naval College at Osborne, which he entered in May 1912, he did equally well, and his tutor writes:- 'He was such a good boy here, very thoughtful, kindly and hardworking.' His final position on leaving the College in April last was second in the grand aggregate of marks, and he took first prize in Mathematics, Physics, and German. [...] Of the six midshipmen who were lost in the 'Aboukir,' three, Messrs. Stubbs, Robertson and Gore Brown passed out of Osborne April as 1st, 2nd and 3rd in 'final position.' " There are other interesting features of this notice which display that Midshipman Robertson had great love of his profession and the attributes of the true British sailor. It concludes:- "And in the future history will record the fact that those who perished on this fatal morning of September 22nd have laid down their lives for the honour of England and the freedom of mankind."

Page 4
DR. AND MRS. ROBERTSON AND FAMILY have been deeply touched by the very numerous kind letters and messages of sympathy which they have received, and hope soon to be able to answer.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 16, 1914 Page 1

Last week's Graphic contained a photo - a remarkably faithful likeness - of the late Midshipman A.D.C. Robertson, of Ventnor, who was lost in H.M.S. Aboukir.