Former Veronica Commander Killed in Collision

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 212, 8 September 1936, Page 4

Former Veronica Commander Killed in Collision

CAPTAIN G. W. T. ROBERTSON LONDON, Aug. 15. Fatal head injuries were suffered in a motor-car accident near Belfast on the night of August 11 by Captain G. W. T. Robertson, R.N., who commanded the sloop Veronica in New Zealand for two years from October, 1928, and who was recently appointed to the command of a new cruiser, Penelope, lie died next day in the Royal Victoria Belfast Hospital.

Captain Robertson was in Belfast supervising tho lilting out of the. Penelope, which is almost ready for her trials. With him in the car were Lieu-tenant-Commander Kenneth Robertson Buckley, formerly in the Dunedin in Few Zealand waters, and LieutenantJohn Harold Unwin. They had been fur a motor run and were on their way back to Belfast when, on the Antrim road, the car skidded and came into collision with a lorry carrying cattle. The car was severely damaged. A doctor telephoned to the Admiralty in London requesting that efforts

should be made to get into touch with relatives. Mrs Robertson was away from home and did not reach Belfast until after Captain Robertson’s death. Thero are three children. Lieutenant-Commander Buckley suffered a broken arm and leg, and his condition is serious. Lieutenant Unwin’s injuries are less severe. Captain Robertson was appointed to the new cruiser, with Lieutenant-Com-mander Buckley and Lieutenant Unwiu ns his second and third command respectively. lie had had a distinguished career since entering the Navy in 1903 as a cadet in H.M.S. Britannia.