William Gray Dixon Robertson

William Gray Dixon Robertson was born on 30th March 1895 in Geelong, Victoria, to Rev Colin Robertson and Margaret Gray, nee Dixon.                                   

When he enlisted at Geelong, Victoria, on 18th January 1915, he was a single 19-year-old farm student from Moe, Victoria. His enlistment papers describe a young man who was 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm), weighed 156 lbs (71 kg), had a medium complexion, grey eyes, and brown hair. He had two vaccination marks on his left arm and a scar that ran along the inside of his left tibia. William gave his religious denomination as Presbyterian. As William was under 20 at the time of enlistment, he required a note from his father stating that his father had given his consent for William to join. His father wrote such a letter on 19th  January 1915, and sent it to Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. Upon enlisting, he was taken on strength with A Squadron of the 13th Light Horse.

William and the rest of the 13th Light Horse embarked on the HMAT A44 ​Vestalia on 26th June 1915, and sailed from Melbourne, Victoria. The 13th Light Horse would spend some time in Egypt training under desert conditions. Due to the high casualty rate in the infantry units fighting at Gallipoli, it was decided to send the Light Horse Regiments currently in Egypt to Gallipoli to fight as infantry. On 4th September 1915, 23 officers and 413 other ranks of the 13th embarked on the troopship RMS ​Megantic.​ They arrived on Mudros four days later, and at 1.30 am on 11th September, Robert disembarked at Watson’s Pier at ANZAC Cove. While at Gallipoli, the 13th Light Horse was at Shrapnel Gully, Lone Pine and Russell’s Top. At Lone Pine, their duties were to hold the trenches. Although they were not involved in large-scale actions, similar to those in August, they suffered a number of casualties through constant Turkish shelling.

On 24th November 1915, William was admitted to the 6th Field Ambulance at Gallipoli suffering from influenza and conjunctivitis. He was transferred to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station and loaded onto the Hospital Ship ​Glenart Castle.​ William was taken to the Island of Malta, arriving there on 3rd December. He was finally admitted to St Paul's Hospital but would remain in Malta for nearly two months.

On 18th February 1916, he was transferred to the Overseas Base at Ghezireh, Cairo. One month later, he boarded a troopship at Alexandria bound for Marseilles in the south of France and, eventually, the Western Front.

Upon arriving in France, he was taken on strength with the 1st ANZAC Mounted Regiment. On 6th June 1916, he was promoted to Sergeant. William was given a period of leave from 15th September 1917 to 29th September 1917, although there is no record of where he spent this.

On 6th March 1918, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. The citation for this medal reads;

For gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field.

“This NCO was in charge of traffic control posts on MENIN ROAD during the operations in Passchendale-Rouneberke Section in October - November 1917.
 Although this sector was subjected to continuous shelling by the enemy Sgt Robertson never failed to visit his posts and attend to the welfare of his men during the heaviest bombardment. He set a fine example to his men by his coolness and devotion to duty under very trying conditions. His conduct has been at all times most exemplary and his conduct of all duties entrusted to him during 3 years service has been very commendable.”

On 12th October 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal. The citation for this medal reads;

"For conspicuous gallantry in action at BUIRE WOOD on 6th September, 1918. -

Sergeant ROBERTSON was in charge of a van guard patrol maintaining liaison between 42nd Battalion and the 58th Division. He kept constant communication between the flank units moving under continuous machine gun and shell fire. - Later during the day, he went forward and successfully carried out mounted reconnaissance in front of BUIRE WOOD in day light under heavy Machine Gun fire”. 

From 19th October,1918, to 9th November, 1918, he was once again on leave in England. He rejoined his unit but was then sent back to England on 15th March 1919, to prepare for return to Australia and demobilisation.

For his service during the war, William was awarded the Military Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He married Henrietta Templeton McErvale on the 18th February 1924 in Camperdown, Victoria. The following year, they welcomed a daughter, Edith Templeton Robertson, to their family. 

William served with the CMF (Citizens Military Forces) during World War 2 enlisting at Camperdown, VIC. He passed away on the 30th January 1974 at Camperdown, Victoria and was buried in Camperdown Cemetery, Victoria.