John Alexander Robertson, “Robbie” to all throughout his life, was born in Moncton, NB October 27, 1924.  He joined the RCAF in 1943 and was trained as both a Bomb Aimer and Navigator before joining 160 Squadron in Torbay, Newfoundland where he flew Canso aircraft on coastal patrols.  On release from the RCAF in January 1946, he returned to Moncton.

Robbie re-joined the RCAF in 1949 and served with 408 Photo Squadron flying both Lancasters and Dakota aircraft on photo survey operations.  He next served at Summerside, PEI before attending the Staff Navigator Instructor Course at the Central Navigation School.  His next posting was to the Maritime Operational Training Unit (OUT) at RCAF Station Greenwood and on completion of this training he served with 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron at Greenwood.

Beginning September 1955, Robbie attended the year-long No. 8 Specialist Navigation Course conducted at the Central Navigation School then located at RCAF Station Winnipeg, Manitoba.  On graduation, he remained on staff and instructed several advanced courses in various specialized subjects.

In August 1959, he returned to Maritime aviation duties attending No. 2 Maritime OTU and converting onto the new Argus ASW Patrol aircraft where he carried out flight duties until 1963 at which time he became an instructor at the Operational Flight Tactical Trainer (OFTT) until 1964 before returning once again to flying duties with 404 Maritime Patrol Squadron at Greenwood.  In 1965, he was posted to the Distant Early Warning Line station at Cambridge Bay.  Following a one-year tour at that station, he returned to 405 Squadron and continued on flying duties until July of 1967 when he assumed duty as the RCAF Station Greenwood Deputy Base Operations Officer, a position he held until retirement from the Canadian Forces in 1970 in the rank of Major.

Robbie died March 11, 2008 after a short illness.  He was an officer and navigator of note, contributing greatly of his talents in the service to his country.