Fonds 109 David J. Robertson, Capt. Ret’d, fonds

The Alexander Robertson family had six children, of which David Robertson was the oldest. His siblings include a half-brother, Donald Ellsworth Wiltse, 1926; Grace Mary (Cecil Fowler) 1929; Jessie Ellen (Hauger), 1934; Gwendolyn Gwinovere (Tarrent), 1937; Alexander Reid Jr., 1941 and Catherine, 1948. The Robertson Family was, by circumstance and choice, a military family. Alexander Reid Robertson, Sr. joined the 10th battalion in 1914, served in France and Germany in WW I. In WW II he was the Regimental Sargeant-Major at basic training schools in Camrose and Dundurin, SK. He then worked as a Veterans’ Land Agent in Peace River and Grande Prairie. His stepson, Donald Elsworth Wiltse, born 1926 in Lacombe, served in the Pictou Highlanders in WW II, in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry in Korea in 1951, and in Canada at Calgary and Esquimault, for a total of 26 years. David James Robertson showed an early interest in medical and military affairs. He took his Junior First Aid Course at age 8, and by age 18 was a member of the 17 Field Dressing Station Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. He joined the armed forces in 1947 and served for 30 years, until 1977. Alexander Reid Robertson Jr., born in Ponoka in 1941, was in the air cadets in Grande Prairie from age 12-18 and joined the army through the Officers Candidate Training Program. He became a member of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse Armoured Regiment and served in Calgary, Germany, Egypt and other countries in the Middle East. Later he was an instructor at the Joint Nuclear Biological and Chemical School, retiring after 25 years of service. Together, father and sons served a total of 93 years for the Canadian Armed Forces.

The series consists of records from David’s childhood: a first aid certificate from 1936, a copy of his personal history form listing the members of his family and their birth places and dates, his certificate of discharge from 17 Field Dressing Station, a news clipping regarding his brother’s award as top cadet, and 5 images of the Robertson family.

Dave Robertson began his military career in 1946 when, at the age of 17, he joined the RCAMC Militia. In 1947 he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Private with the medical branch. He trained in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps school in Borden, Ont. as part of the 37 Field Ambulance, RCAMC and in Manitoba as a parachutist. While there he assisted with the disaster caused by the Red River Flood in 1950. Cpl Robertson returned to Borden as an instructor for Special Forces being sent to Korea, and in 1951 he was posted to 25 Field Ambulance in Korea. He served as a medical assistant in Korea and in 1952 went back to Borden as base hygiene technician. In 1957 he was posted to the Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in Germany as the brigade hygiene tech, working out of the hospital in Iserlohn. Following this was a posting in Vancouver in 1959, and in the Canadian Delegation of the Truce Commission in Vien Tien Laos in 1961. He returned to Borden as staff sergeant, Canadian Forces Medical School until 1967, when he was commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant and posted to the Canadian Forces Headquarters in Ottawa as a Career Manager in the Medical Personnel division. He was promoted to Captain in 1970 and went back to Borden as the Officer in Charge of the Preventive Medicine Training Section. Capt Robertson retired in 1977 after 30 years of service.

The series consists of pay books from 1952-1961; a personal history completed for the Department of National Defense; documents showing his qualifications, activities and awards from Sergeant to Captain, a clipping regarding the Canadian Forces Medical Services School parade honouring Capt Robertson on his retirement, and 10 photographs taken at different stages of his career.

The Korean War broke out in 1950, and in 1951 the First Commonwealth Division was formed of units from England, Australia, India, New Zealand and Canada. Cpl Robertson became an instructor for the Special Forces, and in 1951, he himself was posted to the Advance Dressing Station at 25 Field Ambulance in Korea. After qualifying as a medical assistant, he was promoted to Sergeant and moved to a Casualty Clearing Post supporting the Royal 22nd Regiment of the Van Doos, then moved back to the Advance Dressing Station to run a field hospital. Sgt Robertson returned home in 1952.

The series consists of one pay book for 1951-1952, souvenirs of the trip to Korea and the Ebisu Hotel in Tokyo where soldiers from the First Commonwealth Division went for rest and relaxation, and 25 photographs showing facilities and staff at the Advance Dressing Station of 25 Field Ambulance in Korea.

After his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces, Captain Robertson applied the training he had received as a medical and health officer to a civilian career in the Petroleum Industry.

The series consists of various certificates for safety and first aid courses taken to keep his training relevant while in the oil field.