Robertson Memorial, Central Wood, Netley Park

Summary

Concrete memorial obelisk with metal inscription plaque which commemorates the lives of Second Lieutenant Laurance Robertson (36) King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 30 July 1916 and his brother, Captain Norman Robertson (40) of 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, who died on 20 June 1917

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Description

The Robertson memorial at Netley Park commemorates the lives of Second Lieutenant Laurance Robertson (36) King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 30 July 1916 and his brother, Captain Norman Robertson (40) of 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, who died on 20 June 1917.

The Robertson memorial at Netley Park is one of nine placed on high ground around the south east of England and “within reasonably easy access of London”. It was paid for by William Robertson, Laurance and Norman’s older brother. It’s nearly 2.5 metres tall and takes the form of an obelisk. It’s on a hill, close to a Second World War pillbox and has been listed as Grade II by Historic England.

The obelisk was cast by Dove Brothers of London and the plaque was made by the Royal Label Factory, Stratford upon Avon, to a design by Laurence Turner.

Monument 0788 4858 Concrete memorial obelisk with metal inscription plaque: NETLEY PARK / THIS LAND WAS PURCHASED / FOR THE / NATIONAL TRUST / FROM FUNDS BEQUEATHED BY / W.A. ROBERTSON / IN MEMORY OF HIS BROTHERS/ NORMAN CAIRNS / ROBERTSON CAPTN / 2ND BATT. HAMPSHIRE REGT. / Memorial Built after 1940.

Reasons for Designation
The Robertson War Memorial Bequest Obelisk, which stands in the Netley Park Estate, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on a family, and the sacrifice it made in the First World War; * Architectural interest: a simple yet poignant obelisk, made in an unusual material that reflects Second World War restrictions on resources, and including a plaque designed by noted sculptor and modeller Laurence Turner HonARIBA; * Historic association: as one of an unusual group of nine markers each indicating First World War memorial landscapes scattered across the south-east of England, resulting from a bequest to the National Trust; * Group value: with Netley House (Grade II-listed).

History
Of the National Trust’s total land-holdings approximately one-fifth, some 50,000 hectares, has been given as a war memorial. Immediately after the First World War one of the Trust’s founders, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, led a call for open spaces to be given in commemoration of the tragic losses resulting from the conflict. Rawnsley had led the way when in 1915 he gifted the Trust land at Borrowdale that he named Peace How, referencing the peace that he hoped was to come. In addition to private gifts of areas of land the National Trust has bought property with money that was given for war memorial purposes, and was a major recipient of the National Land Fund, set up in 1946 to secure places of beauty or heritage value to be held in perpetuity and open to the public as a memorial to those who gave their lives in war.

William Robertson (d1937) left a bequest to the National Trust to acquire property 'within reasonably easy access of London' as a memorial to his two younger brothers who died during the First World War. Second Lieutenant Laurance Robertson (36), King’s Own Scottish Borderers, was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 30 July 1916. His name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial. Captain Norman Robertson (40) of 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, died on 20 June 1917. He is buried in Hamburg Cemetery.

Nine memorial properties were purchased with William Robertson’s bequest. With the exception of Sutton House, each memorial property incorporates high ground in accordance with William Robertson's wishes. A marker records the details of each bequest: eight markers are obelisks with dedicatory plaques, the ninth is a wall plaque. The Netley Park Estate (Surrey), comprising c85ha including Netley House (Grade II-listed), a farm, cottages, and woodland, was purchased on 5 November 1940. It is marked by an obelisk standing c200m to the N of Netley House. Netley House was used as a hospital during the First World War, and the estate was used by the Canadian Army during the Second World War.

The obelisk was cast by Dove Brothers, London and the plaque was made by the Royal Label Factory, Stratford on Avon, to a design by Laurence Turner, HonARIBA. Dove Brothers had to use a second mould, the original having been lost during the Second World War. This obelisk cost £88 3s 9d, whilst the plaque and that for the Frensham Common obelisk cost £5. The erection of the obelisk was delayed by post-war restrictions on materials. The plaque was re-worded and replaced in 1950.

Laurence Turner (1864-1957) was an architectural sculptor and modeller. Following his education at Marlborough College he was articled to John McCulloch. Turner worked with many leading architects including Bodley, Eden, Tapper and Schultz, predominantly on church projects. His prolific commissions include tombs for William Morris and Norman Shaw as well as decorative work for commercial and government buildings, churches, and educational establishments.

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