For the Victoria Cross recipient see William Robertson (VC)
Sir William Robert Robertson (1860-1933) was a British field marshal who served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff from 1916 to 1918 during the First World War. Robertson, who began his military career in 1877 as a private, served as Quartermaster General and then as Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force (under John French) before being promoted to CIGS. As CIGS, Robertson was a strong supporter of BEF commander Douglas Haig, and played a major role in the ouster of Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith and his replacement with a Tory-dominated coalition led by David Lloyd George. When he was promoted to field marshal in 1920, he became the first man to rise in the British army from the lowest rank (private) to the highest (Field Marshal).
WILLIAMROBERTSON (1721-1793), Scottish historian, born at Borthwick, Mid Lothian, on the 19th of September 1721, was the eldest son of the Rev. WilliamRobertson.
Robertson's inclination for study was never allowed to interfere with his duties as a parish minister, and his power as a preacher had made him a local celebrity while still a young man.
Till he had finished his book Robertson had never left his native country; but the publication of his history necessitated a journey to London, and he passed the early months of the year 1758 partly in the capital and partly in leisurely rambles in the counties of England.
Robertson returned to England, where he resumed work in the Intelligence Staff of the War Office, where he was made Head of the Foreign Section.
Robertson recalled in his book 'From Private to Field-Marshal' how 'I would often, when passing in that direction as Chief of the General Staff, gaze at the old barrack-room where I first lived...and wonder how it had come about'.
Robertson was responsible for supply through all of the early battles, from Mons to First Ypres.
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