Gordon Robertson RIP

CORNISH TIMES

The following Article appeared in the Cornish Times on 27 June 2007:

Tributes paid to motorcyclist

TRIBUTES have been paid to motorcyclist Gordon Robertson, from Hatt, who died in a collision with a car on the A38 near his home on Sunday June 2.                                    

Married in 1995 to his partner of 27years, Betty, Mr. Robertson lived in Plymouth from 1997 and had been living in Hatt near Saltash since 1998.

He leaves two daughters, Linda, who lives in Colchester with her husband Neal and their children Annie, Tom and Molly, and second daughter Christine who lives in the USA with her husband Jim and their son Andrew.  Mr. Robertson was also stepfather of Kevin and step grandad to Georgia and Ollie.

Born in Redhill Surrey, in1942, his father was killed in action a year later in Italy.  Soon after that he lost his mother and was brought up by an aunt in Birmingham.  He became an avid Aston Villa fan, but soon turned to Rugby and represented England once at international level.

During his early working years he became a merchant seaman going on to be a highly skilled tool-maker.

In his spare time he loved the internet and gardening.  He recently finished writing a biography of some of his adventures at sea.

He was a respected member of the Saltash radio club and regularly spoke with fellow radio hams all around the world.  He also taught Morse code.

To remain active during his retirement he recently became a volunteer helping at the Plymouth Dockyard museum continuing his love of the sea.

He will be sadly missed by all of his family and many friends, especially  by his wife Betty and his beloved 14year old dog Sadie, who never left his side.  

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Gordon Robertson - Funeral Details:

Poem read at Gordon's funeral

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An Email from Gordon

Greetings John. Many thanks for the Blaisdon book. brilliant. so many memories. Posting your cheque this morning (Thursday) As I may have told you, I have a part time voluntary job in the Royal Naval barracks, in Devonport dockyard, in Plymouth. I am involved in the Naval museum. We have just finished putting up the Falkland 25 year Anniversary display in the Wardroom. Most of the ex Captains of Plymouth ships involved attended. They are now Rear Admirals, or Vice Admirals. It is a great "job". When I have free time, I wonder around the dockyard looking (and going aboard) the latest frigates, assault ships etc. It took 5 months to get my Ministry of Defence security passes, allowing me unsupervised access to HM Dockyard. Today, the 15 crew from HMS Cornwall get back from Iran (we hope) as she is a Plymouth ship, and they mostly live in Plymouth, or Cornwall. Yesterday, I had a look at HMS Tireless, she came back this week. the nuclear submarine that had an explosion with the oxygen making equipment, when she was under the Arctic ice. 2 crew were killed, 1 injured.

Kind Regards. Gordon and Betty.
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20 June 2007  John O'Driscoll has kindly given us the information regarding the funeral of the late Gordon Robertson.  It will take in the new Catholic Church in Saltash, Cornwall, which was only recently consecrated by the Bishop.  The service will be at 11 o'clock on Monday 25 June 2007.  John has kindly agreed to represent the Blaisdon Old boys, as it is such a long way for most of us to travel.  It is hoped some other Old Boys in the Cornwall area may also be able to attend.  We send our thoughts and our prayers to his Widow, Betty, and all the family at this sad and difficult time for them.  "May He Rest in Peace" 

10 June 2007  GORDON ROBERTSON RIP

I have just received the sad news from Father Sean of the death of Gordon Robertson.  Gordon was killed in a motor cycle accident on Wednesday last week.  Gordon was a boy at Blaisdon in 1956 and 1957.  He was also one of the contributors of a moving PERSONAL story in our book  "A Tribute to the Salesians of Great Britain".  Father got the news from John O'Driscoll who has kept in touch with Gordon's family.  Gordon has been caring for his wife who has cancer for the last few years.  Please keep Gordon and his family in your prayers, especially his wife, Betty, who will find this a dreadful loss of a wonderful husband and Carer.

For those wishing to send sympathy messages the address is:

Betty Robertson, 22 Carlton Villas, Hatt, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6PS Tel: 01752 843217 

John O'Driscoll will keep in touch with the family, so that we can promulgate details of his funeral in due course. 

"May He Rest in Peace."