The Military History group took advantage of the fine weather, the end of lockdown and Jim Barnes’s generosity with his garden, marquee and Kaffee mit Küchen for their August meeting. Nineteen members enjoyed each other’s company, a good catch up and the Story of a Victoria Cross Holder. It was a wonderful way to restart face-to-face meetings after Covid.
The VC holder was Dorking resident Charles Graham Robertson VC MM, who lies in Dorking Cemetery. His full story will be published in the Military History group’s Newsletter on 15 August which will be available on this website. In summary, Charles came from a humble background, worked as a railway clerk and fought in the Second Boer War. He was badly wounded at Arras in 1917, the year in which he was awarded a Military Medal for a trench raid. The following year saw him almost single-handedly hold the line against invading Germans, when he was nearly fatally wounded and awarded a Victoria Cross. He returned to Dorking and the railway, retiring with his new wife when he was 60. (Much more in the Newsletter.)
The group meets again on Tuesday 7 September at 1000 in the Cricket Pavilion, Middle Street, Brockham. New members are welcomed warmly.