John Robarts (VC)

He landed near enemy troops and destroyed military supplies.

John Robarts, whose naval records also used the surname Roberts, was born in Cornwall. He joined the Royal Navy in 1842 and served in HMS Wellesley during the final phase of the First China War. Later trained at HMS Excellent, he became a gunner and served in HMS Ardent during the Crimean War.

On 29 May 1855 Ardent was operating in the Sea of Azov, where British and French naval forces were attacking stores and communications that supported the Russian armies. Robarts volunteered to land with Lieutenants Cecil Buckley and Hugh Burgoyne. The three went ashore despite the presence of Russian troops in strength. Their small boat could not expect effective covering fire from the ships at the landing place, and their escape depended on completing the work and withdrawing before the enemy closed around them.

They set fire to military stores and destroyed equipment on the beach. The Victoria Cross recognized the danger of volunteering for the operation and carrying it through in the face of the nearby enemy. Robarts's award was announced in February 1857, and Queen Victoria presented the cross at the first investiture in Hyde Park that June. His campaign service also brought the China and Crimea medals, while France recognized his Crimean service with the Legion of Honour.

Robarts continued his naval career in ships including Orion, Revenge and Royal Alfred, and later served as chief gunner in Pembroke. In 1861 he married Ann Emma Victoria Butts, with whom he had three sons. After leaving active service he lived in Portsmouth. He died on 17 October 1888 and was buried in Highland Road Cemetery. His grave and naval records preserve both spellings of the name by which he was known during his service.