The son of James Lang Robertson, M.A., and Annie Robertson, née McArthur, Alexander John Robertson was born at Bundalaguah, near Sale, in Gippsland, Victoria, on 4 January 1887, where his father was the headmaster of the local State School. He married Violet Ann "Dear Wah" Chapman in 1911. Violet, who had left for England not long after Robertson's death, and who had served for almost two years with the Voluntary Aid Detachment at Coulter Hospital, in London, and had just qualified to serve in France as an ambulance driver, was killed in a riding accident, in London's Hyde Park, on 30 November 1917.
Education
He was educated at St. Andrew's College, Bendigo, where he was dux of the school, and at the University of Melbourne. He was a resident of Ormond College. While at the university, in addition to his courses in Science and Mining Engineering, he rowed, played cricket, played football, and competed in the long jump for Ormond College; and, as well, represented the university at both rowing, and at football.
He was part of the Melbourne University team that played in the annual match against Adelaide University on 19 August 1908. Playing for the University in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association, he made his debut for the University's VFL team, playing on the half-back flank, against Richmond on 8 May 1909. He played 10 senior matches, and was one of the best University players in his last match, the season's final round, in the draw against Fitzroy, that was played in a quagmire at the Brunswick Street Oval on 4 September 1909. His studies at university and his employment in Queensland prevented him from playing for the University's VFL team in 1910.
Having spent twelve months as a lecturer in science and mining at the Brisbane Technical College, he moved to Western Australia to work as an assistant mineralogist and surveyor with the Geological Survey of West Australia in 1911 — and, later, still with the Geological Survey of West Australia, he also assumed the duties of a chemist and analyst. He was admitted as an inaugural member of the Convocation of the University of Western Australia in 1913.
Military
He enlisted in the First AIF on 10 May 1915, and served overseas in Egypt and at Gallipoli.
Death
He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 6 August 1915.
