John Ross Robertson

This is a rather exceptional example of multiple memorials for one person within a family. Scott has researched this memorial and the twin of it that this is based on at Montrose.

Location: Dunfermline Cemetery,
Town/village: Halbeath Road, Dunfermline
County: Fife
Postcode: KY11 8QR

Details on cross:
Starting at the top of the shaft:
Small metal GRU plate stamped with G R U, two small nails

 (carved)
ERS TARB DEN HELDEN TOD
(He died a hero’s death)

On the cross beam (carved):
EIN ENGL FLIEGER OFFZ
(An English Flying officer/airman)

Nailed over these words are 4 rows of GRU tags:

Lt. J. Ross. Robertson

Fife & Forfar Yeomanry

Attd. R.A.F.

12-5-17

On the shaft under the cross beam:

Imperial German Cross
12.5.17

Text type: The gothic German lettering is carved into the wood, the English lettering is on GRU metal tags

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 1720
Cross beam width: 850
Width of wood: 135
Thickness or depth:  50

Other information
Mounting to wall:
The cross is half buried into the bank underneath the family grave stone that also contains an inscription to Lt Robertson.
Detailing:
Evidence of use in field: None that can be attributed to use in the field. It’s been half buried for 99 years.
Surface insertion depth (if apparent): None
Finish: Green painted, much faded. (This may in fact be verdisgris as the cross appears to be cast metal rather than wood)
Condition: Good condition, the wood isn’t rotten or damaged. There are two chips on the left-hand arm that look suspiciously like bullet marks (which would be consistent with it being partially cast from the original at Montrose)

Other information, notes and observations: As mentioned the cross is in the bank below the family grave stone. The inscription relevant to Lt Robertson says:

John Ross Robertson
Lieut: Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
And Royal Flying Corps
1913 – 1917
Born January 2 1894
Killed in Action May 12 1917
While flying above the German
Lines and buried at the cemetery of Marquion France

 

Survey and Photos Scott Galloway
Date of survey: 29 July 2016