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Second Lieutenant Alexander John Robertson - Killed in action…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
4-Dec-2022
Lot No.
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Description:
Second Lieutenant Alexander John Robertson - Killed in action at Gallipoli, August 1915, a group of items associated with Robertson's death, shortly after his arrival at Gallipoli, together with some Robertson family items: 1: the 'Dead Man's Penny' issued in Robertson's name, accompanied by the 'Letter' from George V headed 'Buckingham Palace' and the folded cardboard case in which it was delivered. 2: an original letter on crested letterhead from Lt. Col. J. Lyon Johnston, headed XI Battalion 1st A.I.F., Aug. 15th 1915, addressed to Robertson's wife, violet. The letter informs her of her husband's death on August 6th, two days after joining the 6th Reinforcements on the 4th. 'On that morning the Turks made an attack in force on a trench which we had previously captured....A few of the Enemy succeeded in getting into our trench near where Lt. Robertson was stationed, and in the severe fighting that ensued he was unfortunately shot...', the letter still contained in the original Ohms envelope bearing a 15th August 1915 '3rd Aust Inf. Bde. Field P.O.' datestamp. 3: another original letter to Mrs Robertson from the same correspondent and on the same date: 'Since writing to you this morning.....I have received from one of my officers a fuller report of the surrounding circumstances.......you will see that he died bravely fighting to the end, and exposing himself to inspire confidence in the men under his command. Thus he died a gallant Australian Soldier.', the letter enclosed in the original Ohms envelope bearing a 16th August 1915 'Aust & NZ army Corps /Headquarters/ field P.O.' datestamp. 4: a leather tobacco pouch (returned to the widow) with 9ct rose gold plaque engraved to A.J.Robertson 'From the staff of the G.S.O. W.A. 20.5.15'. At the time Robertson applied to join the A.I.F. As an officer he was employed as a mining engineer and geologist by the W.A. Mines Department. Associated items: 5: James Robertson (Alexander's father): bank Street school, emerald hill silver medal (41.5 mm, by W.J. Taylor, London) engraved verso 'James Robertson / first prize / Highest Class / 22nd Dec. 1870 / JAs. Smith / Headmaster', 6: February 1884 Victorian Teacher's certificate of Competency (printed on vellum by Sands & McDougall issued to James Lang Robertson; additionally endorsed in mss verso regarding his position as head teacher of school no. 1976 (Bendigo), describing him as a 'Very good school manager and trainer of junior teachers...', 7: May 1886 University of Melbourne master of Arts certificate (vellum with full seal) issued to James land Robertson and signed by the Acting Chancellor and the committee. 8: St. Andrews College, Sandhurst, Victoria, Dux silver medal engraved to A.J.R. Robertson 1902. 9: Mrs Annie McArthur Robertson's Commonwealth Savings bank passbook (1932-34). (Ann was Violet's middle name).
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Militaria & Weapons: Ephemera