Collector’s Corner: Show cover a tribute to Pte. Robertson
By Medicine Hat News on August 25, 2018.
A stamp show cover is simply an envelope that has been enhanced by photos and script to commemorate a particular philatelic (stamp) exhibition or show. Stamp show covers have a broad selection of topics and provide quite a unique theme for a collection. The Medicine Hat Coin & Stamp Club has, with the assistance of Canada Post, produced a show cover for our upcoming show on Sept. 22. This cover remembers those who served in The Great War July 28, 1914 to Nov. 11, 1918. In particular it honours Pte. James Peter Robertson, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his acts of valour and bravery at the Battle of Passchendaele on Nov. 6, 1917. According to the London Gazette of Jan. 11, 1918 Pte. Robertson was awarded the Victoria Cross “For most conspicuous bravery and outstanding devotion to duty in attack. When his platoon was held up by uncut wire and a machine gun causing many casualties, Pte. Robertson dashed to an opening on the flank, rushed the machine gun and after a desperate struggle with the crew, killed four and then turned the gun on the remainder, who, overcome by the fierceness of his onslaught, were running toward their own lines. He inflicted many more casualties among the enemy and then carrying the captured machine gun, he led his platoon to the final objective. Here he selected an excellent position and got the gun into action, firing on the retreating enemy who by this time were quite demoralized by the fire being brought to bear on them. “During the consolidation Pte. Robertson’s most determined use of the machine gun kept down the fire of enemy snipers, his courage and his coolness cheered his comrades and inspired them to the finest efforts. Later, when two of our snipers were wounded in front of our trench, he went out and carried one of them in under very severe fire. He was killed just as he returned with the second man.” Pte. Robertson was a resident of Medicine Hat. On May 2, 1918 the Medicine Hat News ran an article about Lt.-Gov. Robert G. Brett presenting Pte. J.P. Robertson’s posthumous Victoria Cross to Mrs. Janet Robertson, Pte. Robertson’s mother. The photo of this event is reproduced on the back of the show cover. In 2012 the Canadian Coast Guard commissioned the first of its Hero Class Patrol Vessels — the CCGS Private Robertson V. C. The Royal Canadian Legion — Robertson Memorial Branch #17 here in Medicine Hat is also named in honour of Pete Robertson. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of this show cover may do so at the club’s Sept. 22 show at Higdon Hall at the Stampede grounds. The cover will be postmarked the date of the show and will be available for $3. See you at the show. Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & Stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collection email medhatcsc@live.com. 11-10
