During the operation, Wellington-West Coast Company (Capt. A. G. Melles, M.C. attacked an enemy post, killing 14 and capturing I officer and 52 other ranks, Lieut. J. T. Thomas doing great work, and showing a fine personal example. Enemy machine-guns forbade further progress, and 2nd Wellington was obliged to dig in 400 yards short of its objective, the Hebuterne Road. Touch was, however, established with the battalions on both flanks and the gap in the line filled.
Hawkes Bay Company (Captain G. H. Hume, M.C.) which had lain in reserve all day, was now called upon to counter-attack. That company advanced shortly before, 9 p.m.; but, hardly had it gone any distance at all, than it ran into a large party of the enemy armed with machine-guns.
ln this counter-attack, three officers of Hawkes Bay Company, viz., Lieuts. J. K. E. Jackson, D. H. Donaldson and E. C. Clifton were, wounded, while earlier in the day, Lieut. D. L. Robertson (Wellington-West Coast Company) had been killed. Altogether 2nd Wellington that day had the following casualties; 4 officers, 69 other ranks. -Official History of the Wellington Infantry Regiment.
Lieutenant Douglas L. Robertson, M.A., killed in action on 27th March, was the eldest son of Mr. J. A. Robertson, of the High-street School, Dunedin. He was educated at the Otago Boys' High School, and obtained his M.A. degree with first-class honours at the age of twenty-one. He held positions in the Carterton District High School, the Wellington Technical School, and, at the time of his enlistment, he was day master at the Wanganui Technical College. He was a good athlete, and while residing in Wellington was a member of the Brooklyn Harriers Club and the Star Boating Club. Lieutenant Robertson leaves a widow and one child. His brother, Mr. J. H. Robertson, went to Samoa with the first Expeditionary Force, and is now Collector of Customs and Taxes at Apia. -Evening Post, 10/4/1918.
The Wanganui "Chronicle" states that the many friends of the late Lieutenant D. L. Robertson, of the Technical College, and Mm. Robertson, will greatly regret to know that Mrs. Robertson passed away at Dunedin on Wednesday evening. Lieutenant Robertson was killed in action on March 27, and this great blow coming upon Mrs. Robertson when she was dangerously ill was too much for her. The late Mrs. Robertson was formerly a teacher in the service of the Otago Education Board, and when Lieutenant Robertson went into camp, Mrs. Robertson, despite delicate health, bravely took up teaching at the Technical College, and for some time at Kai Iwi. One little boy, three years of age, is left to mourn the loss of both father and mother. -Dominion, 27/4/1918.
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