Charles John Cramer Roberts was born in Glasnevin, Ireland c1834, the son of the Reverend Walter Randal Cramer Roberts and Martha Hewitt Mitchell. His great grandfather was Sir Thomas Roberts 1st Bt.
Charles was commissioned as an ensign into the 49th Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Hertfordshire) Regiment on 21 Jan 1853. He joined his regiment out in the Crimea on 1 April 1855 and was involved in the siege of Sevastopol including the assaults on the Redan on the 18th June and 8th Sep. He served with the 9th Regiment in the Afghan War of 1879-80 and was in Brigadier-General Charles Gough’s advance to Kabul. He was also present at the battles of Jugdulluck, Saidabad and the relief of Sherpore. He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the medal and clasp.
Colonel Roberts commanded the 2nd Battalion from May 1883 to May 1885, and retired after relinquishing command. The photo shows him with the rank of captain c1860. The embroidered star and crown on each side of his collar denoted captain rank. These badges also denoted the rank of colonel but captains had no gold braid on the collar, only gold lace.
On 3 Feb 1869 Charles Roberts married Frances Templer Dunn and they had three children, 2 sons and a daughter. He died in Christchurch, Hampshire on 28 September 1895.
1853 Ensign in the 49th Foot 21 Jan
1855 Lieutenant 9 Mar
1859 Captain 6 May
1872 Brevet Major 5 Jul
1878 Major 1 May
1880 Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 5 Nov
1882 Lieutenant-Colonel 7 Jan
1884 Colonel 5 Nov
Regimental Details | Commanding Officers
