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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 791

(x) Pair: Captain and Honorary Major A. T. Robertson V.D., J.P., D.L., Berwick on Tweed Volunteer Artillery & 8th (Ardwick) Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, a prominent Berwick businessman who was involved with the Territorial Army, and who had a multitude of local and national interests

Volunteer Officers' Decoration, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved 'A.Tower Robertson 1st. Bk on.T.Vol Arty 1897'; Coronation 1902, silver issue, very fine (2)

Alexander Tower Robertson of Tweedmouth House, Tweedmouth who was born in 1855 attended Mr & Mrs Batters Seminary, Berwick Grammar School, Durham School and Edinburgh University. He entered the family firm at Tweed Iron Works in 1875 later becoming its Managing Director when his father retired from the firm.

He was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Berwick on Tweed Volunteer Artillery on 5 February 1879 and advanced to Second Lieutenant in February 1905.
During the First World War he became Commanding Officer of Berwick Volunteer Battalion and was latterly appointed Commandant of a concentration camp in the South of England.

Sadly, like many families during the Great War, tragedy struck, and Robertson's only son John Alexander Tower Robertson, who had been commissioned in the 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles, was killed on 30 December 1915 when the S.S. Persia was torpedoed off the coast of Crete.

A comprehensive obituary outlining the many achievements and service to the local community by Robertson can be found in the Berwickshire News and General Advertiser of 25 January 1949. It's evident from his obituary that he made a huge contribution to the Berwick community and had many interests in his long and full life of 93 years. Given his many achievements it is extraordinary that he never received a civil award.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£580

Starting price
£140