Robertson, P/M James “Robbie”
(1886 – 1961)
Born on 23rd August 1886 at Scotsmill of Boyne, Portsoy, Banffshire the family moved to Airdrie in Lanarkshire when he was five. It was there in 1901 that he began piping lessons under P/M William Sutherland and in 1906 he joined the Gordon Highlanders where he was tutored by P/M G.S. McLennan from then until 1913. Posted to France with the 1st Battalion at the start of August 1914 he was captured on the 27th of that month and spent the whole of the war as a POW, being exchanged in April 1918. He caused his captors so much strife during those years in captivity that he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in February 1920 in recognition of his valuable services as a POW! He took over as P/M of the 1st Battalion from G.S. in 1919.
He was discharged from the Army with 21 years service in April 1927 and became a janitor at Banff Academy where he remained until his retirement in 1953. He died after a short illness in 1961.
(NB not to be confused with another piping notable, P/M J. B. Robertson of the Scots Guards)
He was discharged from the Army with 21 years service in April 1927 and became a janitor at Banff Academy where he remained until his retirement in 1953. He died after a short illness in 1961.
(NB not to be confused with another piping notable, P/M J. B. Robertson of the Scots Guards)