|
Apr 1, 1897
|
Born in Live-Oak,
Florida, USA to Andrew J. and Viola C. Robertson
|
|
Mar 7, 1918
|
Attested into the 1st
Depot Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment, CEF in Windsor, Ontario
Ø
Number 2356571
Ø
Next of kin given
as Viola Robertson, mother, 304 Academy, Ave., Bradenton, Florida, USA
Ø
Previous
occupation given as Machine Inspector
o
Also reported to
have been a School Teacher
Ø
No previous
military experience given
Ø
Religion given as
Baptist
Ø
Assigned to the
Regiment’s 7th Draft
On enlisting he stated that he was the sole supporter of his mother as
he was the only son at home and his father had passed away
|
|
Apr 16, 1918
|
Embarked the HMT
Scotian in Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
|
Apr 28, 1918
|
Disembarked in
Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Witley Camp where he was TOS
(Taken On Strength) the 4th Reserve Battalion
|
|
Sep 20, 1918
|
Transferred to the
1st Battalion
|
|
Sep 23, 1918
|
Arrived at the CBD
(Canadian Base Depot) in France and TOS the 1st
Battalion
|
|
Sep 25, 1918
|
After leaving the
base depot, Private Robertson joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps
Reinforcement Camp)
|
|
Sep 29, 1918
|
Transferred to the
21st Battalion while still at the reinforcement
camp
|
|
Oct 2, 1918
|
After leaving the
reinforcement camp, Private Robertson joined the 21st
Battalion at the front east of Inchy-en-Artois, France as part of a
draft of 156 reinforcements and assigned to “C”
Company
|
|
Nov 11, 1918
|
An Armistice was
declared while the battalion was in the town of Noirchain, Belgium,
approximately 5 km south of Mons.
|
|
Dec 13, 1918
|
The 21st
Battalion crossed the Bonn Bridge and entered Germany as part of the
occupying force and proceeded to Seigburg for guard duty
|
|
Apr 3, 1919
|
After leaving
Germany, the battalion embarked the SS Western Australia in Havre,
France and crossed the channel for England
On disembarking in England, the battalion proceeded to Witley for
processing pending return to Canada
|
|
May 13, 1919
|
Embarked the SS
Caronia in Liverpool
|
|
May 20, 1919
|
Private Robertson
became very ill overnight May 19-20 and at 6:45 am on the 20th,
was taken to the ship’s infirmary where he was attended to by
the ship’s Medical Officer.
His diagnosis was listed as Acute Septic
Influenza.
Private Andrew Jackson Robertson died in the ship’s infirmary
at 10:24 pm.
|
|
May 21, 1919
|
An inquiry looking
into the circumstances of his death was held aboard the ship. After hearing testimony
from witnesses that included the 21st Battalion
Medical Officer, Captain H. Black
and the ship’s Medical Officer, Captain J Thomson, the
conclusion was that Private Robertson died of natural causes
|
|
From the book “Ordinary
Heroes” by Steve Nichol, page 216
|
|
May 22, 1919
|
The ship docked in
Halifax, Nova Scotia and Private Robertson’s body was
transported to Bradenton, Florida, USA for burial.
Private Robertson was subsequently buried in the Major Adams Cemetery,
Bradenton, Florida
Following his
death, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead
Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his
mother, Mrs. Viola Robertson, 304 Academy Ave., Bradenton, Florida, USA
Andrew
Robertson has the distinction of being the last death of a soldier
while serving with the 21st Battalion. He is also the only 21st
Battalion casualty to have his grave maintained by the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission in the United States.
|
|