A Scottish Soldier

Jan 19

**James Fairlie Moffat 1925-2012**
RAF 1943-1947

Dad was only 14 in 1939 and signed up when he was 18. He was stationed in Singapore at the end of the war, which was a great opportunity for the young journalist to travel. His advice to us as we were growing up was “The world’s your oyster”.

Christmas Party Menu (Dad’s memorabilia)

**John McInnes Moffat 1890-1963**
**WWI** Army Service Corps France 1915-1917

My grandfather John Moffat was in the trenches and suffered a shrapnel wound to his face. He met Lizzie when he was recovering in a military hospital in Edinburgh. So my dad was told…

John was a baker in Paisley before and after the war and he may have done that in his unit. The Army Service Corps supported the fighting troops wherever they were stationed.

Two of his brothers served also:

James Fairlie Moffat 1889-1951 WWI Army

Lennie Moffat 1897-1948 WWI Army Service Corps

**Charles James Neil Jamieson Robertson 1910-1996**
**WWII** RAF England

Charlie was stationed in England for the duration of the war. He worked in maintenance I believe. (I have yet to find his service records as the Royal Air Force records are not online).

He’s pictured here with his in-laws, Philip Greenan 1886 and wife Janet Chapman Munro. Philip signed up for WWI but was not considered “an efficient soldier” so his service only lasted a week. He was a gentle man and kept the home fires burning.

George Brodrick Robertson 1882-1959

WWI Army Royal Engineers, France 1915-1919

George Brodrick Robertson, my great grandfather, was in the military at least twice. His girlfriend Matilda was three years older than George and had moved to Leith from Glasgow.

Their daughter Mary Ann Collins Robertson was born on Jan 11 1901. On December 31st 1901, New Years Eve, George and Matilda got married. On Jan 6 1902 George joined the army (Royal Scots Guards). He didn’t tell them he was married but listed his mother Elizabeth as his next of kin.

In 1915 he was called up for WWI. He and Matilda had six children by then. Two more were born after the war. He served honorably as a truck driver in France and was promoted by the time he was discharged in April 1919.