The Robertson Family

Our Heritage

The Robertson family came from Peterhead, a fishing and whaling town on the east coast of Scotland, about 50 kilometres north of Aberdeen. William Robertson (a blacksmith and engineer), born in 1807 at St Fergus near Peterhead, married twice — first to Gordon Arthur (died 1845), then in 1847 to Elspet Lillie, 21 years his junior. Together William and Elspet had 13 children. Their eldest son, James Lillie Robertson, was born on 7 November 1847 in Peterhead.

James Lillie Robertson worked on whaling ships off Peterhead before making a remarkable journey to Australia — travelling via Fiji, arriving in Melbourne on 1 February 1879 aboard the S.S. Suva as the sole steerage passenger. He secured work with Anderson's Engineering Co., then helped build the dome of Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building — completed in 1880 for the Melbourne International Exhibition. On 23 October 1880 he began work at Thompson's Foundry in Castlemaine, where he would remain for 45 years, rising to become the leading foreman.

James's wife Mary Mess/Mace followed in October 1881 on the S.S. Norfolk with their five children, travelling from Gravesend on the Thames to Melbourne in 51 days. They built their home "Inverugie" at 11 Hall St, Castlemaine in 1894 — named after a Scottish village near Peterhead. The Robertson family became pillars of Castlemaine: James was an elder of the Presbyterian Church, a life-governor of the Castlemaine Hospital, and 11 members of the Robertson family worked a combined 180 years at Thompson's Foundry. Their eldest daughter Jessie Ann Robertson married Benjamin Arthur Webber in 1899, uniting the Robertson and Webber families.

James Lillie Robertson — formal portrait, Castlemaine — James Lillie Robertson — leading foreman, Thompson's Foundry, Castlemaine

GSV family data sheet — William Robertson and Elspet Lillie, Peterhead, Scotland — GSV family data sheet — William Robertson & Elspet Lillie, Peterhead, Scotland

Genealogical Society of Victoria Family Data Sheet — Robertson family, image 457 — GSV Family Data Sheet — Robertson family (image 457)

Family at a Glance

Origins

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland · William Robertson (blacksmith) born 1807 at St Fergus, near Peterhead

Generations

James Lillie Robertson arrived Melbourne 1 February 1879 via Fiji · Mary and 5 children arrived November 1881 on the S.S. Norfolk

Legacy

11 Robertson family members worked 180 combined years at Thompson's Foundry, Castlemaine · Home 'Inverugie' built 1894

Family Tree

Tracing the Robertson lineage through the generations

1807

Generation 1

William Robertson

William Robertson born at St Fergus, near Peterhead, Scotland — a blacksmith and engineer. He married twice: first to Gordon Arthur (died 1845), then to Elspet Lillie in 1847. Together they had 13 children.

1847

Generation 2

James Lillie Robertson

James Lillie Robertson born 7 November 1847 in Peterhead — eldest child of William and Elspet. He worked on whaling ships before emigrating to Australia via Fiji in 1878–1879.

1871–1872

Generation 3

James and Mary Robertson

James Lillie Robertson marries Mary Mess/Mace on 7 May 1871 in Peterhead. Their eldest child Jessie Ann Mess Robertson is born on 13 October 1872 at Marischal St, Peterhead.

1879–1881

Generation 4

Journey to Castlemaine

JLR arrives Melbourne 1 February 1879 on the S.S. Suva (via Fiji). Helps build the dome of Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building. Begins work at Thompson's Foundry, Castlemaine on 23 October 1880. Mary and 5 children arrive November 1881 on the S.S. Norfolk.

1894–1899

Generation 5

Inverugie and the Webber union

James and Mary build 'Inverugie' at 11 Hall St, Castlemaine in 1894. Mary dies of peritoneal cancer in 1896, aged 49. Jessie Ann Robertson marries Benjamin Arthur Webber on 22 June 1899 at 'Inverugie' — uniting the Robertson and Webber families.

Notable Family Members

Robertson family members who made significant contributions

James Lillie Robertson

1847–1935

Foundry foreman & patriarch

Born in Peterhead, James arrived in Melbourne in 1879 via Fiji, helped build the dome of the Royal Exhibition Building, then spent 45 years as leading foreman at Thompson's Foundry in Castlemaine. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church and life-governor of Castlemaine Hospital. He died in Melbourne in 1935 at age 87.

James (Jim) Robertson

1874–1961

Engineer at Mt Lyell copper mine, Tasmania

Born in Peterhead, Jim arrived in Australia on the S.S. Norfolk in 1881 aged 7. He trained as an engineer at Thompson's Foundry, then worked six years (1906–1912) at the Mt Lyell copper mine at Queenstown, Tasmania. In later life he lived quietly in Castlemaine and Kew, rarely leaving his room. He died in 1961 at age 86.

John Mace (Jack) Robertson

1876–1958

Clerk of the Victorian Legislative Assembly

Born in Peterhead on Christmas Day 1876, Jack arrived in Australia on the Norfolk in 1881 aged 4. He married Mary (Molly) Sutherland and had 6 children. His son Robert (Bob) became Clerk Assistant in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, and in 1961 became the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. Jack died at Castlemaine in 1958 at age 81.

Mary Lillie (Lil) Robertson Walsh

1879–1973

Dressmaker & gold medal recipient

Born in Peterhead, Lil arrived in Australia on the Norfolk in 1881 aged just over 2. She spent six years in Tasmania while her brothers worked at the Mt Lyell copper mine. In 1912 she and her sister Elsie received gold medals for preparing sandwiches for miners and rescuers during the North Mount Lyell Disaster, in which 43 lives were lost. She died in Brighton in 1973 at age 93.

Elsie Maggie Robertson Elsworth

1883–1956

First Robertson child born in Australia

Born in Castlemaine in 1883, Elsie was the first of the Robertson children born in Australia. She and her sister Lil spent six years in Tasmania during the Mt Lyell mine years. She married William Elsworth in 1914. After William's death in 1935 she lived at 2 Churchill St, Kew, where her brother Jim also lived. She died in 1956, six days before the opening of the Melbourne Olympic Games.

Arthur McDougall Robertson

1885–1961

WW1 soldier, 13th Field Ambulance

Born in Castlemaine in 1885, Arthur was a tailor who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915 at age 30. He served in France with the 13th Field Ambulance, was repeatedly hospitalised with influenza and other illnesses, and sent postcards home to his niece Marion Webber from the front. He was discharged in May 1919 and returned to Castlemaine. He died in Melbourne in 1961 at age 76.

Family Achievements

Milestones and accomplishments that showcase the Robertson legacy of excellence

⚓

1879

James Robertson Arrives via Fiji

James Lillie Robertson arrives in Melbourne on 1 February 1879 on the S.S. Suva — having travelled from Peterhead via Fiji. He is listed as the sole steerage passenger. Nobody knows how he ended up in Fiji.

🏛️

1880

Building Melbourne's Exhibition Dome

James Robertson helps build the dome of Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building — 68 metres high, completed for the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. On 23 October 1880 he begins his 45-year career at Thompson's Foundry in Castlemaine.

🏅

1912

Gold Medals at the North Mount Lyell Disaster

Elsie and Lil Robertson receive gold medals for preparing sandwiches for miners and rescuers during the North Mount Lyell mine fire at Queenstown, Tasmania — in which 43 lives were lost on 12 October 1912.

🎖️

1917

Arthur Robertson in France — WW1

Arthur McDougall Robertson serves with the 13th Field Ambulance in France, sending postcards home to his niece Marion Webber. He is repeatedly hospitalised with influenza and other illnesses, and is transferred to Permanent Base duties away from the front line.

🪖

1942

Nick Walsh at Kokoda with MacArthur

Lieutenant Nicholas Walsh — grandson of James Lillie Robertson — is photographed with General MacArthur at Ower's Corner on the Kokoda Track on 3 October 1942. His platoon fights the entire track to Soputa, finishing in January 1943 with only three men left from his original 25.

⚖️

1961

Bob Robertson Becomes Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

Robert (Bob) Robertson — grandson of James Lillie Robertson — becomes the Clerk of the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1961, the most senior administrative officer of the Parliament. He had previously attended a Parliament House garden party in 1954 at which the Queen and Prince Philip were present.

Marion Lillie Webber (née Robertson)

Marion Lillie Webber (1901–1988), daughter of Benjamin Arthur (Acker) and Jessie Ann Robertson Webber, was a central figure in the Webber-Robertson family network. She never married, worked as a secretary, and was the keeper of family photographs, letters and memories.

Marion Webber — studio portrait, young woman in dark dress with floral corsage — Marion Webber — studio portrait, dark dress with floral corsage

The Rix St girls — Back: Ursula Durack, Sylvia Withers. Front: Jessie Webber, Doreen Durack, Marion Webber, Eileen Webber, Mary Webber — outside 39 Rix St, Glen Iris — The Rix St girls — 39 Rix St, Glen Iris, 1940s

Five people outdoors: two young women in light coats (left), young man in dark suit (centre-back), young woman in hat and dark coat (centre-right), older woman in dark coat with corsage (far right) — c.1940s–1950s — Mary Webber, Amy Ritchie, Marion Webber — also: Robertson/Webber family — outdoor group portrait, c.1940s–1950s

Marion Webber 1949 (age 48) — formal studio portrait, middle-aged woman with short wavy grey-blonde hair, embroidered floral collar, pearl necklace and earrings, glasses — Marion Webber, 1949 (age 48) — also: Marion Webber — fur coat portrait

Couple standing together, inscribed 'To dear Vicsy, with love, Marion' and dated Xmas 1944 — Marion Webber with companion, Christmas 1944 — Marion Webber — 'To dear Vicsy, with love, Marion', Christmas 1944

Marion, John (Jerry) Webber (no relation), Mary at Tudor Court reception for Jerry's daughter — indoor group, three people at formal reception — Marion, Jerry Webber, Mary — Tudor Court reception

Mary Elsie Webber

Mary Elsie Webber (1902–1971), second daughter of Acker and Jessie Webber, was a teacher and keen hiker. She spent her career in Melbourne, was active in St Barnabas' Church Balwyn, and left a memorial altar rail in her name.

Education Department Victoria — Merit Certificate No. 67726 for Mary C. Webber, High Castlemaine School, 20 November 191[2?] — Mary C. Webber — Education Department Victoria Merit Certificate, High Castlemaine School, c.1912

Mary Webber — A. Verey & Co, Castlemaine — large formal cabinet card, young woman with dark hair and floral headband in white dress with soft veil-like fabric — Mary Webber — cabinet card, A. Verey & Co, Castlemaine

Mary Webber and Molly Robertson Daylesford Gardens November 1930 — Mary Webber & Molly Robertson, Daylesford Gardens, November 1930

Mary Webber two women on the lawn Daylesford 1930s — Mary Webber — two women on the lawn, c.1930s (Daylesford Gardens outing)

Evie Thompson (school teacher friend) and Mary Webber at Daylesford Gardens November 1930 — outdoor snapshot, two women standing against a leafy hedge, coats and handbags — Evie Thompson & Mary Webber, Daylesford Gardens, November 1930 — also identified as: Mary Webber — two women, c.1930s

Two Robertson/Webber family women lying and sitting on a lawn in a garden, trees behind, c.1930s — Mary Webber — two women on the lawn, c.1930s

Mary Webber tending flowers in a garden in front of a weatherboard house, sepia, c.1930s–1940s — Mary Webber — in her garden, c.1930s–1940s

Hikers' Mystery Express ticket 6 August 1932 + Sun News-Pictorial 7 August 1932 — Mary Webber, Jean Milford/Lewis, Jessie Webber and others hiking — Hikers' Mystery Express, 6 August 1932 — Sun News-Pictorial — also: The Herald — 'All Ready for the Big Mystery Hike' — Mary Webber top left

Large outdoor hiking group photo — people walking in line along bush/country path, 1930s hiking clothes — Hiking group — Mary Webber, Jessie Webber and friends, 1930s

Newspaper clipping: 'All Ready for the Big Mystery Hike' — group on steps at Flinders Street Station ready to board the Mystery Express, c.1930s — Mystery Hike — 'All Ready for the Big Mystery Hike', Flinders Street Station, c.1930s

Illustrated farewell card — hand-drawn cartoon of woman at typewriter, verse: 'Mary had a little whim, — To type a Change Request!' — Mary Webber — illustrated farewell card, D.A.P., August 1946 — also: Mary Webber — farewell note from D.A.P. colleagues, 28-8-'46

Hand-drawn cartoon with verse: 'Mary had a little whim — To type a Change Request! And every job that Mary jobbed She loved that job the best.' — humorous farewell card for Mary Webber from D.A.P. colleagues — Mary Webber — farewell cartoon from D.A.P. colleagues

Handwritten farewell card: 'To Mary, Wishing Her All The Best From Her Friends At D.A.P., 28-8-46' — signed by dozens of colleagues — Mary Webber — D.A.P. farewell card, signed by colleagues, 28 August 1946

Castlemaine Mail, Saturday October 22, 1938 — 'Women — Farewell Party / Miss Mary Webber Entertained' — full newspaper clipping — Castlemaine Mail, 22 October 1938 — farewell party for Mary Webber

Mary Webber at St Andrews St Middle Brighton tending dahlias — Mary Webber at St Andrew's St, Middle Brighton — tending dahlias. On holiday at her aunt Lil's. Date unknown.

Mary Webber at St John's Church, Toorak at wedding of David & Judy Eakins 14 February — outdoor street snapshot, Mary in white lace dress — Mary Webber at St John's Church, Toorak — Eakins wedding — also: Robertson/Webber family — woman in white lace dress, formal occasion, c.1950s–1960s

Mary Webber — outdoor/street portrait, middle-aged woman in dark coat with fur-trimmed collar and small decorative hat, smiling broadly — Mary Webber — portrait in fur-trimmed coat — also: Robertson/Webber family — woman in fur coat, c.1950s

St Barnabas' Church of England, Balwyn April 1971 — church publication tribute to Mary Webber + DEATHS notice clipping + Funeral notice — Mary Webber — death notices and St Barnabas' tribute, April 1971

St Barnabas' Church of England, Balwyn February–March 1974 — Memorial Altar Rail dedication notice for Mary Webber — St Barnabas' Church, Balwyn — Memorial Altar Rail for Mary Webber, 1974

Arthur Murray (Acker) Webber & Eileen Mann

Arthur Murray (Acker) Webber (1906–1982), fifth child of Acker and Jessie Webber, married Eileen Mann in January 1943. He served in the military and later lived at Yongala St, Balwyn.

Six people seated and reclining on rocks or a hillside — two women at left (one in patterned jacket), man in centre, woman in white, man at right — trees and bush behind — c.1920s–1930s — Arthur (Acker) Webber on hillside — also: Robertson/Webber family — outdoor group on rocks/hillside, c.1920s–1930s

Acker and Eileen Webber's wedding — laughing group — outdoor wedding photo, Acker Webber, Sylvia Withers, Eileen Mann/Webber (bride, white gown, large cascading bouquet, laughing) — Acker & Eileen Webber's wedding — laughing group, January 1943

Acker & Eileen Webber's wedding — Acker and Eileen leaving church — outdoor wedding photo, Acker (dark suit, white carnation) and Eileen (white gown, long veil, large cascading bouquet) — Acker & Eileen Webber leaving church, January 1943

Eileen Webber — outdoor wedding photo, Eileen Mann/Webber (bride, white gown, long veil, large cascading bouquet), standing alone on church steps — Eileen Webber (née Mann) — bride portrait, January 1943 — also: Robertson/Webber family — bride portrait, c.1940s

Acker & Ted Webber at Acker & Eileen's wedding 1943 — outdoor photo, Acker Webber (dark suit, white carnation, bald) and Ted Webber (dark military/RAAF uniform, peaked cap) — Acker & Ted Webber at the wedding, January 1943

Military Training Camp, Seymour — J.Courdin, G.Healey, J.Guest, W.Wilson, A.Fitzgerald, E.Appel, Acker Webber — seven soldiers in khaki uniform and slouch hats — Military Training Camp, Seymour — Acker Webber (far right)

Postcard reverse: 'Taken at the Military Training Camp Seymour — Names left to right: J. Condon, J. Walsh, J. Wilson, A. Fitzgerald, Webber, A. Kile' — Acker Webber — Military Training Camp Seymour, postcard reverse with names

John Webber 1948 (19 months) — S. A. Gray — formal studio portrait, baby/toddler seated on floor in white shirt and dark shorts, big smile — John Webber, 19 months, 1948 — S. A. Gray — also: Robertson/Webber family — infant portrait, J. A. Henry studio, c.1950s

Robert Mace (Bob) Webber — POW Germany

Robert Mace (Bob) Webber (1910–?), sixth child of Acker and Jessie Webber, was captured in Germany during WWII and held as a prisoner of war (VX28662, Oflag VB). His homecoming to Melbourne in July 1945 was reported in the Melbourne Herald.

Bob Webber — large formal studio portrait, young man in three-piece dark suit, holding a pipe, looking slightly to one side — Bob Webber — formal studio portrait

Bob Webber — outdoor snapshot, Bob in Australian Army uniform (khaki jacket, peaked cap) seated on front steps/wall of brick house — Bob Webber in Australian Army uniform — also: Robertson/Webber family — military officer portrait, c.1940s

VX28662 Lieut. R. M. Webber Australian Prisoner of War No. 262 Germany — formal portrait, Bob Webber in Australian Army officer's uniform, smiling broadly. Oflag VB August 1941 — Bob Webber — POW portrait, Oflag VB, August 1941

Envelope addressed to Lt R.M. Webber (Army), Australian Prisoner of War, No. 262 in Germany, Oflag VB Bn. IV, Oflag VIB — stamped 23 September — with handwritten note 'Jean & Jimmie taken at sea, Sept 14th 42' — Lt R.M. Webber — POW mail envelope, Oflag VB/VIB Germany, stamped 23 Sept 1942

Crowd scene with 'WELCOME' banner, women waving, city street, Melbourne, c.1945 — Bob Webber homecoming welcome — Bob Webber homecoming — welcome crowd, Melbourne, c.1945 — also: Bob Webber's homecoming — Melbourne Herald, 25 July 1945

Jill Webber — studio portrait, teenage girl/young woman with short wavy hair and striped scarf, warm smile, soft sepia tone — Jill Webber — studio portrait — also: Robertson/Webber family — young woman portrait, c.1950s

Two women smiling on a ship deck, leaning on the rail — Bobbie and Jill Webber on the Arcadia, 1954 — Bobbie and Jill Webber — on the Arcadia, 1954 — also: Bobbie & Jill Webber on 'Arcadia', 26 November 1954

The Sun newspaper feature — 'Girls went to German school' (27.11.54) — large clipping with headline, portrait of Bobbie and Jillienne Webber — The Sun, 27 November 1954 — 'Girls went to German school'

Jean Isobel Webber funeral receipt — T. Odgers & Co., Castlemaine, July 1 1912 — handwritten receipt: 'To Burial of Late Jean Isobel Webber, Died June 12th 1912, Aged 8 months' — Jean Isobel Webber — funeral receipt, T. Odgers & Co., Castlemaine, 1 July 1912

Jean Isobel Webber second funeral receipt — T. Odgers & Co., Castlemaine, June 1912 — handwritten receipt for burial of Jean Isobel Webber, £7.7.0 — Jean Isobel Webber — second funeral receipt, T. Odgers & Co., Castlemaine, June 1912 (£7.7.0)

Newspaper death notices for Nicholas James Webber — died 11 February aged 72, of Mary (née Murray), loved father of Kay and Carol; and Nicholas James, loved brother of Rod, Barbara and Len — Nicholas James Webber — death notices, aged 72, father of Kay and Carol

World War II · New Guinea · 1942–1943

Nick Walsh on the Kokoda Track

Lieutenant Nicholas (Nick) Douglas Walsh — grandson of James Lillie Robertson through his daughter Mary Lillie (Lil) Robertson Walsh — served with the 2/6th Battalion, 5 Company, 7th Division Australian Base Supply Corps on the Kokoda Track in 1942–43. His platoon fought the entire track from Ower's Corner to Soputa, finishing in January 1943 with only three men left from his original 25. On 3 October 1942, at Ower's Corner — the exact spot at the start of the Golden Staircase of 2,000 steps, first ridge of the Owen Stanley Range — Nick was photographed with General Douglas MacArthur and Lieutenant Colonel Chenall. It was almost certainly MacArthur's first day in New Guinea.

Three people in Australian Army khaki uniforms outdoors: two men in officer uniforms with peaked caps (left and right), one woman in khaki with wide-brimmed hat (centre) — trees behind. Identified as General MacArthur (with cigar), Lieut N.D. Walsh (5 Coy, 7 Div), and Lieut Col. Chenall (AAMC 7 Div) at Ower's Corner, start of the Kokoda Track, Owen Stanley Range, October 1942 — General MacArthur, Lieut N.D. Walsh & Lieut Col. Chenall — Ower's Corner, Kokoda Track, October 1942

Handwritten annotation card dated October 3, 1942, Ward St Brighton 3186 — identifying the Kokoda Track photograph: General MacArthur and cigar, Lieut N.D. Walsh (5 Coy 7 Div ABSC), Lieut Col. Chenall (AAMC 7 Div), at Ower's Corner — the exact spot at the start of the Golden Staircase of 2000 steps, first ridge of Owen Stanley Range. Annotated by N.D. Walsh — Annotation card — Kokoda Track photograph, October 1942, by N.D. Walsh, Ward St Brighton

The photograph identified

Nick Walsh annotated the photograph himself on a card kept at Ward St, Brighton. His handwriting identifies the three men: "General MacArthur and cigar, Lieut N.D. Walsh (5 Coy 7 Div ABSC), Lieut Col. Chenall (AAMC 7 Div)" — and the location: "Ower's Corner — the exact spot at the start of the Golden Staircase of 2000 steps, first ridge of Owen Stanley Range."

MacArthur visited New Guinea on 2–3 October 1942. This photograph was almost certainly taken on 3 October — his first day on New Guinea soil.

Kokoda Track — image 441, Nick Walsh and the 2/6th Battalion, New Guinea 1942 — Nick Walsh — Kokoda Track, New Guinea, 1942 (image 441)

The Kokoda Campaign — Nick Walsh's War

1942

Lieutenant Nicholas Walsh serves with 5 Company, 7th Division Australian Base Supply Corps (2/6th Battalion) on the Kokoda Track. On 3 October 1942 he is photographed with General Douglas MacArthur and Lieutenant Colonel Chenall at Ower's Corner — the start of the Golden Staircase, first ridge of the Owen Stanley Range.

Oct–Nov

Nick's platoon fights the entire length of the Kokoda Track — from Ower's Corner over the Owen Stanley Range, through Kokoda village, and down to the north coast. The campaign is one of the most gruelling of the Pacific War: steep jungle terrain, tropical disease, and fierce Japanese resistance.

Jan 1943

The campaign ends at Soputa on the north coast. Of Nick's original platoon of 25 men, only three remain. The rest have been killed, wounded, or evacuated with disease. Nick Walsh survives.

Lillie Myrtle Webber & Leonard Rowe

Lillie Myrtle Webber (1915–?), youngest child of Acker and Jessie Webber, married Leonard St Just Rowe at the Presbyterian Church, Kew on 10 December 1938. Their daughter Barbara Rowe survived polio in 1953, her recovery reported in The Herald.