HOLDERS OF THE VICTORIA CROSS

John Robarts VC

Gravestone Inscription

In Loving Memory of
JOHN ROBARTS V.C., R.N.
THE BELOVED HUSBAND OF
ANNE E.V. ROBARTS
illegible

WILLIAM CECIL ROBARTS
YOUNGEST SON OF THE ABOVE
illegible

Details of Award
On 29 May 1855 in the Sea of Azov, Crimea, Gunner Robarts of HMS Ardent with two lieutenants (BUCKLEY,C.W. and BURGOYNE,H.T.), one from HMS Miranda and the other from HMS Swallow, volunteered to land on a beach where the Russian army were in strength. They were out of covering gunshot range of the ships offshore and met considerable enemy opposition, but managed to set fire to corn stores and ammunition dumps and destroy enemy equipment before embarking again.

Further Information
He was decorated by Queen Victoria on 26th June 1857 at the first investiture.

Life in Southsea
Robarts had lived at 4 Park Lane, Portsea (1881) and Providence House, Castle Road, Southsea (1886).