3105 Lance Corporal William Dawson Robbie
7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
13th November 1916
Born in Drum Oak Aberdeenshire on 31/01/1899.
His parents were John Robbie (08/02/1869-19/07/1932) and Mary Ann Hogg (02/09/1871-14/04/1933). They married in 1892.
William had 4 brothers: John (15/10/1892-26/10/1918), Francis (1897- 26/11/1918), George (30/10/1904-29/10/1980) and Charles Mackie (17/04/1908-12/05/1996). He also had 2 sisters, Jeannie (1894-20/11/1980) and Lizzie Helen (05/02/1911-01/02/2000).
In the 1901 Scottish Census, the family were recorded as living at Manse Cottage, Drumoak, Aberdeenshire. William’s father was employed as a navvy. In the 1911 Scottish Census, the family were recorded as still living in the same location. William was now as school, and his father was employed as a platelayer for the London & North Eastern Railway Company.
William enlisted into the 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders Regiment and was killed in action on 14/11/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Aberdeen Press and Journal – Wednesday 22 November 1916
Lance-Corpl. Robbie, Park
Mr John Robbie, foreman surfaceman on the Park section of the Deeside Railway, yesterday received news of the death of his son, Lance-Corpl. W Robbie, Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action on the 13th inst. Before enlisting Lance-Corpl. Was employed as a farm servant in the district.
Aberdeen Press and Journal – Thursday 23 November 1916
Robbie - Killed inaction on the 13th November, Lance Corporal William D Robbie aged 17 years and 9 months, third son of John and Mary Robbie. Manse Cottage,
Brothers
Francis – Acting Lance Corporal 92855 41 Stationary Hospital RAMC Gordon Highlanders – Died of Pleurisy 26/11/1918
Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery Plot - XIIIA. BB. 3.
Aberdeen Evening Express – Saturday 23 November 1918
Deeside Notes
Drumoak
Mr John Robbie, foreman wayman on the Park section of the Deeside Railway has been officially notified that his son, Lance-Corpl., Frank Robbie, R.A.M.C., is in hospital in France dangerously ill from an acute attack of pleurisy. It is the wish of his many friends here that he may soon receive better news.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal – Friday 13 December 1918
Drumoak
Expressions of sympathy, many and sincere are extended to the stricken home of Mr and Mrs Robbie, Manse Cottage, Drumoak. The Rev. C. Mackie, at the close of his sermon on Sunday afternoon, made feeling reference to the death of their son, Lance- Corporal F. Robbie who died in hospital in France.
Official notice of his death reached his parents on Saturday, and two days later (Monday 2nd inst.) the Rev. C. Mackie received a cablegram from America informing him that their eldest son Sergeant John Robbie US Army had been killed in action in France on 26th October last and had the painful duty to perform of breaking the sad news to his grieved parents. This is the third son to have fallen in action.
John emigrated to Boston USA in 1916
John First Sergeant, U.S. Army 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division.
Killed in Action on26/10/1918
Buried at: Plot F Row 6 Grave 18 Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery Romagne, France
Awarded Croix de Guerre with gilt Star.
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