Newcastle Journal Tuesday 16/07/1916
Medal Index Card
James Robertson was born on the 8th December 1886, at 120 South Frederick Street, South Shields, to Robert Robertson [General Labourer], and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Greenwell. They had twelve children, but only seven survived. James was the youngest son.
He was educated at the Barnes Board School, and after leaving school, was a grocer's boy, until he was employed as a Tool Store Clerk at Hebburn Shipyard, South Shields.
By 1911, the family had moved to 192 [some records state 190) South Palmerston Street, South Shields. Prior to this in 1901, they were residing at 117 South Palmerston Street.
James enlisted 4th September 1914, after the outbreak of the war and served with the British Expeditionary Force from the 22nd November 1915. He was in the 5th Platoon, 'B' Company on the 1st July 1916.
The 16th Battalion was part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division, they moved forward via Martinsart and Aveluy Wood for the assault on Thiepval. At 7.30am as they climbed out of their trenches the leading waves were hit by machine-gun fire. 'A' and 'B' Companies were in the leading wave . 'C' Company were in support and 'D' Company in reserve in the second line named Gemmel Trench.
Opposite them was the German 99th Infantry Regiment. A quote from Lieutenant F. L. Cassel recorded that "A wall of British dead was growing in front of our position".
The men had been ordered to walk over in close formation. Colonel Ritson had to be restrained by 16/234, Corporal S. Henderson, 'A' Company, otherwise he would have been killed. With tears streaming down his face, he kept saying over and over "My God! My Boys, My Boys!".
James was killed on the 1st July at the Somme.
James Robertson is remembered at South Shields on S86.009 and at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in NUT068 on page 118, 156 and 177.
Also in Ian Johnson's book "Newcastle Battalion of World War 1 page 375. 2014.