James Balfour Robertson

Notes on Officer

James Balfour Robertson is third son of the late Arthur Robertson, Esq., of Inshes, co. Inverness (a descendant of David I., King of Scotland), by Katherine, daughter of Jas. Lawrie, Esq., of Burngrange and Lappie, co. Kinross, and niece of Colonel Jas. Masterton, M.P. for Stirling, A.D.C. to the Duke of Cumberland at Culloden, fifth in descent from the marriage of Ronald Masterton, of Park Mill, heir male of Masterton of that ilk, with Marjory Bruce, grand-daughter of Sir David Bruce, of Clackmannan, derived from the Bruces of Annandale, the progenitors of the illustrious Robt. Bruce. One of his brothers, Simon Fraser, an officer in the E.I.Co.’s service, died Deputy-Adjutant-General of Bombay; and another, Thomas, filling the same appointment, was drowned in the Lady Jane Dundas East Indiaman.

This officer entered the Navy, 9 April, 1795, as A.B., on board the Gibraltar 80, Capts. John Pakenham and Wm. Hancock Kelly, in which ship he continued, on the Mediterranean and Channel stations, nearly the whole time in the capacity of Midshipman, until Aug. 1801. From 11 Sept. ensuing until 12 Aug. 1802 he served, again in the Mediterranean, chiefly as Master’s Mate, in the Dreadnought 98, Capt. Jas. Vashon, and Caesar 80, flag-ship of Sir Jas. Saumarez. He was made Lieutenant, 18 Jan. 1806, into the Combatant sloop, Capts. Alex. Robt. Kerr and Alex. Rich. Mackenzie, lying in the Downs; and between the following Nov. and July, 1814, was employed on the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Home stations in the Formidable 98, Capt. Fras. Fayerman, Alexandria 32, Capt. Nathaniel Day Cochrane, Caledonia 120, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Fras. Pickmore, Redpole 10, Capt. Colin Macdonald, Rifleman brig, Capt. Joseph Pearce, Cydnus 38, Capt. Fred. Langford, and Rinaldo 10, Capt. Edm. Lyons. From 19 March, 1822, until 14 April, 1826, he commanded a Signal station on Cooper’s Hill. For several years past he has been employed on quarantine service at St. Margaret’s Hope, Frith of Forth.