Charles Robertson came to Dorking as a boy when his father took a job as a gardener in Pixham. He worked as a railway booking clerk at Box Hill station before joining the army and serving in the Boer War.
After leaving the army he returned to the railway. He re-enlisted in 1915 and was awarded the Military Medal in 1917. In 1918 he was serving near Ypres when he was badly wounded holding off a German advance after being cut off from his comrades. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions but was not expected to survive to receive his medal.
Military surgeons managed to save Robertson’s life. The local council was keen to honour him, but Robertson refused any such adulation. He accepted a gold watch but asked that any other monies raised by the people of Dorking be put to charitable use. In December 1918 thousands turned out to watch him process by horse-drawn carriage to the Red Lion Hotel where the presentation was made. After the war Robertson returned to the railway. During the Second World War Robertson was back in uniform as a sergeant in the Home Guard.
