University of Aberdeen Roll of Honour (WW1)
RACHEL BLANCHE HARROWER (Nee GEDDES)
Biography: Daughter of Principal Sir William Geddes; born Old Aberdeen. Arts, 1893-94. War Work – War Relief Association, Soldiers and Sailors Families Association, Old Aberdeen; War Dressings Depot, Surgical Appliances Depots, Pensions Committee, Aberdeen, 1914-19
GEORGE MACRAE ROBERTSON
Biography: Son of James Robertson; born Glass, 23 May 1894, Science 1911-13, Scottish Horse, 11 November 1914. Commissioned, Scottish Horse Yeomanry, 23 June 1918. Served-Home, 1914-16; Egypt, February-October 1916: Salonika, November 1916-November 1917; France, October 1918-March 1919. Final rank, 2nd Lieutenant.
JAMES ROBERTSON
Biography: Son of James Robertson; born Glass, 6 July 1889, U.D.A., 1913. Rifleman, Ceylon Planters’ Rifle Corps, 8 August 1914. Commissioned, 24 June 1916. Transferred Scottish Horse Yeomanry, Deccan Infantry. Served –Egypt, Gallipoli, November 1914-November 1915; England, 1915-16; India, Mesopotamia; Palestine, February 1917-. Final rank, Acting Captain.
WILLIAM GUTHRIE ROBERTSON
Biography: Son of James Robertson’ born Glass, 7 July 1863. M.A. 1885. War work –Y.M.C.A., France, 1916-17.
WILLIAM GUTHRIE ROBERTSON was the son of James Robertson and Elizabeth Bonnyman. On 1871 census at Barefolds, Glass as a scholar aged 7. Not sure about him on the 1881 census – he might have been at Keith as a boarder, but he was on the 1891 census also at Barefolds, Glass as a Probationer Free Church, aged 27. I looked the 1901 census on line and I think there are some errors so will check at Huntly Library this week. The only one I found that would tie in was a Minister of Watten UF Church Caithness and it says born Glasgow – I am sure this is the right one as I never trust the transcriptions on the net. Especially the 1901 one!
Aberdeen Journal 30 October 1905
ROBERTSON – At 6 West Claremont Street, Edinburgh, on the 27th inst. (suddenly) Christina S. Thomson, beloved wife of the Rev. W. Guthrie Robertson, U.F. Manse, Watten, Caithness
Aberdeen Journal 13 September 1916
CAITHNESS UNITED FREE PRESBYTERY
Caithness UF Presbytery met at Thurso yesterday. Unanimous leave of absence was given for four months to Rev. W.G. Robertson, Watten to enable him to engage in Y.M.C.A. work with the troops in France.
Aberdeen Press & Journal May 9 1931
WHERE HE FIRST PREACHED
NEW GRANGE MINISTER’S EXPERIENCE
GOOD WISHES FROM WATTEN
The Rev. W. Guthrie Robertson, M.A. Watten, Caithness, was yesterday inducted by the Presbytery of Strathbogie to the combined charge of Grange West and Whitehills congregation, in succession to the Rev. T.C. Hendry, translated to St James’s Lossiemouth.
The Rev. Wm. Macgillivray, Cairnie, interim moderator during the vacancy, presided over a crowded gathering, and read many telegrams of congratulation and good wishes to minister and congregation, including from Watten congregation and office-bearers.
In name of the congregation Mr John Raffan, Mains of Balnamoon, presented Mr Robertson with a wallet of Treasury notes, conveying a hearty welcome and best wishes for happiness and hoped Mr and Mrs Robertson might be long spared among them.
INTERESTED IN GRANGE
Mr Robertson, thanked them for the handsome gift, their call to be their minister and their hearty welcome.
He had been interested in Grange for many years. It was there as a student that he preached his first sermon. He was very anxious and then went out among the trees at the back before he began the service and asked the blessing of God at that early day and now he was there that day as their minister.
He had been asked to other congregations, but had never gone from Watten. But when the Grange call came from the Presbytery who licensed him to preach the gospel and from a congregation not far from his native parish, he would have found it very difficult not to accept their call.
In the name of the Presbytery, Mr McLaren, moderator, welcomed Mr Robertson, who in reply referred to his friendship with Mr Macfadyen, Marnoch: Mr Guthrie, Glass and others.
Aberdeen Journal 30 June 1938
GRANGE WHITEHILL GIFTS
TO REV. W.G. ROBERTSON AND MRS ROBERTSON
Grange West Whitehill Church Woman’s Guild met in Whitehill Church to do honour to the Rev. W.G. Robertson and Mrs Robertson on the occasion of Mr Robertson’s retirement from the active ministry. The large gathering gave evidence of the esteem and affection in which they were held.
Mrs G. Lawrence, vice-president, in laudatory terms, presented Mr Robertson with a wireless set and wallet of notes and Mrs Robertson was presented with a reading lamp by Mr J.S. Watson, treasurer of the West Church.
Mr Robertson on behalf of Mrs Robertson and himself, thanked the subscribers for their gifts. He said they had been exceedingly kind to his wife and himself and he would like them to know that they were most grateful. The feeling of sadness in leaving the work in which he had been engaged for so many years was mitigated very much by the fact that they were not going far away. Mr and Mrs Robertson are to reside in Portsoy.
Aberdeen Journal 5 September 1939
ROBERTSON – At Tigh-na-Mara, Portsoy, on 2nd September 1939 Isabella Bannerman Sutherland wife of Rev. W.G. Robertson, formerly of Watten and Grange. Funeral to Portsoy Cemetery, on Tuesday 5th September at 2 pm.
Aberdeen Journal 1 December 1950
VETERAN MINISTERS RALLY TO HONOUR OLD SCHOOL
GATHERING SPANS 65 YEARS OF CHRIST’S COLLEGE CENTURY
In age and religious experience, they ranged from the eighty-seven year old Rev W.G. Robertson, the oldest surviving alumnus – he entered the college in 1885 – and Mr James B. Ingram, Cullen, a twenty year old student who began his studies only last month.
Mr Robertson retired twelve years ago. He held a charge at Watten, Caithness for thirty-nine years and at Grange near Huntly for seven years.