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Robertson, John Louis Armour, Montreal, Quebec. Occupation: architect. Military Service: Sergeant, McGill 80, 2nd University Co. PPCLI, Attestation Papers. Diary References: “Moved camp today and Sergt. [John Louis Armour] Robertson (later killed) put me on blanket guard,” 3:7 Jun ’16; “Sergts. Louis Robertson, [D.] McLean [Maclean], [J.N.] Edgar and some others are getting commissions in the regiment,” 3:20 Jun ’16; “Word came through that Louis Robertson and Lance C[orporal]. [T.G.] Mclean is killed. Louis was to get a commission also in the regiment. Hear we lost 90 men. We are making crosses as fast as possible these days,” 3:19 Jul ’16. Photo in Newman, p. 110.
Additional Biographical Information:
Sergt. John Louis Armour Robertson was an architect in Montreal before joining the 2nd University Company in May 1915. He transferred to the PPCLI in September 1915 at about the same time as Frank. Robertson survived the Battle of Sanctuary Wood in early June 1916, only to be killed the following month when trying to rescue a fellow soldier during a heavy bombardment. He was only 23 years of age. Newman, With the Patricia’s in Flanders, 110.
“Lewis Robertson was killed. He was a splendid fellow and as brave as a lion. When he was killed he was going out a sap in front of our trenches to help a wounded bomber while a severe bombardment was going on. I feel sorry for his family. He was particularly unfortunate as he was shortly leaving to take up a commission. I arranged a funeral for him and it was largely attended. It was the only Regimental funeral held since the Colonel’s. This shows his popularity.” Lt. G. S. Currie, letter dated 23 July 1916, Regimental Museum Archives (RMA) quoted in Stephen K. Newman, 98.
Date of Death: 19 July 1916. See casualty details, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Buried at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, 2 km southeast of Ieper (Ypres), West Flanders, Belgium. Grave Reference: VI.B.20.
