People Australia

Alexander Holcombe Robertson, n.d. photographer unknown

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

Alexander HOLCOMBE ROBERTSON was born at St. Kilda, Victoria, on 4th October, 1869, the son of the late Mr. James Robertson, Police Magistrate, and Mrs. Katherine Robertson. He was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne.

Alexander H. Robertson joined the Bank’s staff at Melbourne in August, 1890, and was subsequently transferred to Maldon, Victoria, in March, 1892; to Rochester in April, 1898, where he was appointed ledger-keeper; thence to Perth, Western Australia, in January, 1902; to Fremantle in May, 1902, and while there was appointed teller; to Elmore, as accountant, in July, 1905; and in August, 1913, re-transferred to Melbourne.

He enlisted in the A.I.F. in July, 1915, and was appointed lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, 2nd Brigade. With reinforcements for the 7th and 8th Battalions he landed at Gallipoli on 1st December, 1915, and after the evacuation he was sent to Tel-el-Kebir. Later on he went to Serapheum, on outpost duty, until 24th February, 1916, when he was transferred to the 60th Battalion. In April he was appointed quartermaster to the 5th Division Base Depot, and at the end of June he was placed in command of the 5th Division Details until they proceeded to France, when he joined the 15th Training Battalion at Salisbury Plains. Lieutenant Robertson took part in the battles of the Somme in December, 1916, and January, 1917, but became ill with influenza, was sent back to England, and was discharged on 24th April, 1917, in Melbourne, being presented later with the 1914-15 Star.