TOPIC:

A must have pocket watch for the die-hard collector of all things related to the Victoria Cross has just been listed on an ever popular online auction site for the buy it now price of £17,500.00, unless you are willing to make an offer.










Information included in the description of this watch, is as follows -

Historic 18ct gold tribute pocket watch presented to Lieutenant-Colonel William Robertson of the Gordon Highlanders, by friends & admirers from his home town of Dumfries, Scotland in recognition of him being awarded the Victoria Cross in the Second Boer War.

The watch has been fully restored by a specialist master pocket watch restorer who has confirmed this was one of the best 18ct gold pocket watches available at the time it was awarded in 1900.

Sergeant-Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) William Robertson was awarded the Victoria Cross, (the highest & most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British & Commonwealth forces) for his actions at the Battle of Elandslaagte on 21st October 1899.



The inner casing of the watch is beautifully engraved:

"PRESENTED TO LIEUTENANT & QUARTER-MASTER WM. ROBERTSON V.C. BY FRIENDS & ADMIRERS IN HONOUR OF Distinguished Services IN SOUTH AFRICA. DUMFRIES 25TH DEC. 1900".

The outer casing is beautifully engraved with the recipient's monogram "WR".

Included with the watch is an ORIGINAL front page of "The Graphic" magazine dated Saturday September 1st 1900; the front page image depicts William Robertson receiving his Victoria Cross personally from Her Majesty Queen Victoria at Osborne House a week earlier.
Also included is an enlarged colour photo reprint of a cigarette card from the Boer War era depicting Lieutenant Robertson VC.

18ct Gold Pocket Watch: Weight: 114.8 gm. Outer Diameter: 50 mm. Diameter of Watch Face: 42 mm. Hall Mark: Birmingham 1900. Maker's Mark: Rotherham & Sons (John Rotherham). Retailer: James S. Thomson, Dumfries.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Robertson VC CBE (27th February 1865 - 6th December 1949): Robertson was 34 years old and a sergeant-major in the 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, during the Second Boer War when the following action took place at the Battle of Elandslaagte for which he was awarded the VC:

"At the Battle of elandslaagte, on 21st October 1899, during the final advance on the enemy's position, this Warrant Officer led each successive rush, exposing himself fearlessly to the enemy's artillery and other arms fire to encourage the men. After the main position had been captured, he led a small party to seize the Boer camp. Though exposed to a deadly cross-fire from the enemy, he gallantly held onto the position captured, and continued to encourage the men until he was dangerously wounded in two places".

Robertson was later commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders as a quartermaster with the rank of lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in 1910, major in 1915 and lieutenant-colonel in 1917. He retired in 1920 and after his retirement became honorary treasurer of the Royal British Legion, Scotland.

His Victoria Cross medal is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Trev