Robertson, John Cowan
John C. Robertson was born in Selkirk (Scotland). He came to London with his family when he was about 5 years of age. His first school was a ladies' one, and after attending that for about six months he went to Balham High School for a few years. From there he went to Dunheved College, Launceston, was there for four and a half to five years, finishing there, and in 1912 he went straight to Guy's Hospital as dental and medical student (joint course).
He had just finished his two years in the Dental Mechanical Department and had passed his First Professional Examination in September, 1914. The day after he knew the result, he, along with others, joined as private the 4th Cameron Highlanders about the end of September, 1914, at Bedford, where he was trained.
He remained at Bedford until February, 1915, and although he had his papers ready for a commission, he, along with several of his friends, when they got the order to go to the Front, destroyed his commission papers, preferring to go out as ordinary private. They landed in France and within seven days were in the trenches. He went through the battle of Neuve Chapelle unscathed, but at the battle of Festubert, on the morning of the 17th May, 1915, he fell wounded, and from that day to this (January 11th 1919) nothing has been heard of him. He has disappeared absolutely and entirely, and thus a young and promising life, of high character was ended. Hospital Reports Vol.LXX, War Memorial Number
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Robertson |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | John Cowan |
| Place of birth | Selkirk, Scotland |
| Family details | Son of William Robertson, J.P., of "Summerleigh", Beltinge Rd, Herne Bay, and the late Janet Cowan Robertson |
| Previous education | Balham High School; Dunheved College, Launceston |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1912-1914 |
| Dept / course | Dental Pupilage and Chemistry and Physics |
| Military unit | Cameron Highlanders 4th Bn. |
| Place enlisted | Broadford, Inverness-shire |
| Service number | 2351 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Campaigns | France and Flanders |
| Date of death | 18 May 1915 |
| Age at death | 20 |
| Rank at death | Private |
| Place of death | Festubert |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy's Hospital Memorial; Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France |
| Sources | Guy's Hospital Medical School Records, King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Soldiers Died in the Great War |