The 1914/15 Star trio issued to 4/802 James David McRobie who was wounded on Gallipoli and captured a Turkish soldier during the August Offensive. 

 

James McRobie was born 12th February 1896 at Dunedin, New Zealand. Son of Robert Blyth Dawson and Agnes Herd McRobie (née Cooper). He was working as a blacksmith's striker and serving with No. 2 Company, NZ Field Engineers when he enlisted for service with the NZEF in December 1914. He embarked with the 4th Reinforcements, NZ Field Engineers and served on Gallipoli from late May 1915.

He suffered a gunshot wound during the August offensive, and was evacuated to Mudros. He returned to Gallipoli in November, serving until being evacuated in late December. He subsequently transferred to the Western Front where he served continuously until August 1918 (apart from brief hospitalisations due to illness and accidental injury). By the end of the war he had been promoted to 2nd Corporal.

 

After the war McRobie married and eventually settled at Blenheim. During the Second World War McRobie served as an officer on the NZ Temporary Staff, likely qualifying for the 1939/45 War Medal and New Zealand War Service Medal.

 

In June 1974 McRobie was interviewed by Dr. Peter Liddle, during which he gave a vivid account of his movements from the time he landed. He said he landed at Gallipoli on the 3rd of June 1915 and went straight to Quinn's Post on 4th June. James amazingly captured a Turkish sniper during the Battle of Chunuk Bair on 7th August whilst advancing up a ridge. It was the first time that the Engineers had "free shooting and had to fix bayonets" - they had to do all "their work" with the bayonet until they were allowed to fire. James McRobie died just a few months after giving this interview, in November 1974.

All medals are correctly impressed 4/802 2/CPL. J.D. McROBIE. N.Z.E.F. The group comes with a transcription of the Liddle interview.