Private, 265477, Andrew McRobbie (25), Killed in Action

5th Seaforth Highlanders, 20th September 1917 

5th Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge, similar to the one worn by Andrew McRobbie.

The Morayshire Roll of Honour

The following is an extract from the above 1921 publication :- McROBBIE, Andrew, No. 265477, Private, 1/6th, 1/5th and Machine Gun Corps, born at Partick, Glasgow, 25th May, 1888, residing in Morayshire for twenty years; joined at Elgin, 2nd September 1914; served in France and Belgium; killed in action near Ypres, 20th September 1917. Son of William (deceased), and Mary McRobbie, 17, High Street, Elgin. Occupation – Gardener.

Further Military and Civilian Research

  • He previously worked at the Knoll, Bishopmill, Elgin. (photo attached)
  • The recipient of his belongings in the Register of Soldiers Effects was his widow, Williamina.
  • Andrew is honoured and remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium as either his body was never found or remained unidentified.
  • The mother of Andrew was guardian to John Alexander Churchill MacLachlan who also resided at 17 High Street, Elgin. He was also killed in action during the great war and the link to his profile is attached below.
  • Contributors Note – The Morayshire Roll of Honour states that Andrew was also a member of the Machine Gun Corps but I could not find any evidence of this. He may have indeed been in that unit or he may have been a machine gunner within the Seaforth Highlanders.
The Knoll, North Street, Bishopmill, Elgin where Andrew had been a gardener.

Family

Andrew McRobbie was born c.1894 at Partick, Lanarkshire. The following family information is taken from the 1901 Census, Pension Record and the Morayshire Roll of Honour. The address at that time was shown as 25a Tolbooth Street, Forres.

His family is shown as follows :-

  • Wife – Williamina McRobbie, born 8 January 1880.
  • Son – William McRobbie, born 1 April 1914.
  • Father – William McRobbie, (Deceased).
  • Mother – Mary McRobbie, born c.1858 at Dyke, Morayshire
  • Sister – Mary G., born c.1890 at Partick, Lanarkshire.
  • Sister – Anne C., born c.1895 at Partick, Lanarkshire.
  • Sister – Margaret R., born 1897 at Partick, Lanarkshire.

Along with the family at 25a Tolbooth Street, Forres, in the 1901 Census, there were three additional lodgers.

Addresses

  • In the 1901 Census he is shown as 25a Tolbooth Street, Forres.
  • In the Morayshire Roll of Honour, his mothers address was shown as 17 High Street, Elgin.
  • In the Elgin Courant Newspaper in the month following his death, his obituary shows his fathers address as 1 Collie Street, Elgin, although his father died well before Andrew’s death. The Pension Record to his widow Williamina also shows her address as 1 Collie Street, Elgin.

Medals

Andrew McRobbie was awarded the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War.

Andrew McRobbie Medal Index Card.

Memorials

Andrew McRobbie is honoured and remembered on the Elgin and Parish War Memorial, Moray.

Conflicting Information

There are several pieces of information which contradicts each other. Soldiers who died in the Great War states that he was born in Elgin and the Morayshire Roll of Honour states it was Partick, which I believe is correct, this is also confirmed in the 1901 Census.

Several documents have his date of birth as 25 May 1888, however his age is given as 25 years of age. If this was in fact his birth date then he would have been 28-29 when he died.

Links to Additional Information

References

  •  Morayshire Roll of Honour.
  •  Medal Roll – Seaforth Highlanders – British War and Victory Medals.
  •  Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  • Medal Index Card.
  • Register of Soldiers Effects.
  • Soldiers Died in the Great War.
  • Elgin Courant Newspaper – 5 October 1917.
  • Pension Records.

Groups

Contributors:-

  • Vincent Stuart
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