Ayr, Scotland was the birthplace of Robert Shankland on October 10, 1887. His father, William, worked as a railroad guard and when Robert was old enough he too was employed by the railroad as a clerk in the stationmaster’s office. The office work would benefit him later when he moved to Winnipeg in 1910 and took a job for the Crescent Creamery Company as an assistant cashier.
World War I
Before the Great War broke out he had joined the militia and served with the 79th Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He volunteered for active service in December 1914 and was assigned to the 43rd Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Canada with the rank of private. By 1916 he had been promoted to Sergeant and received the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Sanctuary Woods while he was in command of a stretcher party. He received a battlefield commission later that year.
Bellevue Spur
On October 26, 1917, Shankland was in command of a platoon from D Company situated on the crest of Bellevue Spur the main trench defending the approach to Passchendaele. As morning broke, Shankland and his men advanced. B Company captured and held the spur. The Germans counterattacked and the Battalion on the right was forced to withdraw though some of the men joined Shankland’s platoon. With his flank exposed to heavy enemy fire, Shankland held on for four hours of artillery fire and counterattacks. Casualties mounted steadily and then the 8th Brigade on Shankland’s left was driven back, leaving both flanks exposed.
Victoria Cross
In danger of being cut off, Shankland turned over command to another officer and made is way back to headquarters, crawling and slogging through heavy mud and deadly enemy fire. Reaching headquarters he reported the situation and outlined a detailed plan on how a counterattack could be best carried out. Battalion headquarters assigned him reinforcements and Shankland led them back to the beleaguered position where he remained until he and his men were relieved. For these actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation read in part: “His courage and splendid example inspired all ranks and coupled with his great gallantry and skill undoubtedly saved a very critical situation.”
When the war ended a year later, Shankland remained in the Camerons militia and worked for several Winnipeg firms. He later moved to Victoria and joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment.
World War II
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Shankland returned to Winnipeg and rejoined his old regiment. He was promoted to Major and sent to England to command Headquarters Company and in December 1940 he was a lieutenant-colonel and commandant of the Canadian Army Headquarters. After the war he went to Vancouver to work for some securities firms. He died on January 20, 1968.
Recently a controversy arose when his medals went up for auction in May 2009. Fearing they might fall into the hands of an overseas buyer the Canadian War Museum purchased them for $240,000.
Sources:Max Arthur - Symbol of Courage - Sidgwick & Jackson - 2004
John Sweetham ed.- Valiant Men - Canadian War Museum - 1973
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