11 Facts About Vernon Robertson

Vernon Robertson served with the British Expeditionary Force in France between 1915 and 1919.

Vernon Robertson received promotion to the rank of lieutenant on 4 October 1916 and was appointed adjutant on 30 October.

Vernon Robertson was appointed to the acting rank of captain on 10 November 1916 and by 1 October 1918 was an acting major.

Vernon Robertson retired from the army on 4 May 1919, being promoted at the same time to the temporary rank of major.

Vernon Robertson was awarded the Military Cross on 26 September 1917 for personally visiting, during heavy artillery and gas bombardment, a number of bridges to report upon their condition.

Vernon Robertson was badly affected by the gas but completed the task and afterwards ensured that supplies were carried up for the repair of the structures.

Vernon Robertson was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1943 Birthday Honours for his contribution to London transport during the Second World War.

Vernon Robertson had become a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1919, was elected a fellow in 1930 and served as president for the November 1949 to November 1950 session.

Vernon Robertson was a fellow and president of the Permanent Way Institution, vice-president of the Institution of Transport, a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Electrical Engineers, an honorary fellow of the Society of Engineers and an honorary member of the American Railway Engineering Association.

Vernon Robertson had been appointed to the Supplementary Reserve as a major on 19 November 1924 and ceased to belong to that unit exactly four years later.

Vernon Robertson was promoted to colonel on 8 May 1940 and later served as commanding officer of the unit, until 1 January 1956.