The American Legion Department of Louisiana

          At the turn of the 20th Century, approximately fifty miles from the Gulf of Mexico, on the west bank of Bayou Lafourche the Community of Lockport, Louisiana was thriving as a center point for the shipment of cotton and sugar cane to New Orleans. The Bayou side was filled with warehouse and steamboat docks. Out of fear that the Mississippi River would redirect it’s primary channel into Bayou Lafourche it was damned at Donaldsonville. This spelled the end to Lockport’s growth as a major distribution port. Returning to it’s former rural community status life was as with any “bayou town”. You knew your neighbor and they knew you. 

          When the United States entered World War I Lockport’s youth, young as they were, filled the enlistment lines, offering their service for God and Country. On June 7, 1918 word was received that Lockport suffered a loss of one of it’s young men to an artillery shell that exploded sending hordes of scrap medal through the body of Pvt. Henry J. Robertson, Co. D 18th Inf. A.E.F.  The first casualty for Lafourche Parish, Pvt Robertson was buried on the battlefield near Somme, France. But 24 years of age he gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could continue to enjoy the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. While Henry’s family dealt with their loss, so did the entire Lockport community and the Parish of Lafourche. A few weeks before his death, Henry wrote a letter home to one of his sisters:

“Dear Sister, Your letter was handed to me a few days ago and must say was indeed glad to here from you. Well, sister, we are just back from the front and now at a rest camp. Believe me, we are taking it easy too. We are also having nice weather, it being nice and warm - real spring. Clelie, what do you all think about this war? Do you think it will last long yet? My opinion is it won’t last many more months. I HOPE NOT ANYWAY. Sister, France is all right but the U.S.A. is still better. Of course, I don’t mean that France is not a good country, just the contrary. I like this country, but its this miserable war I don’t like. In fact, nobody likes it, although I thank God I have been pretty lucky so far. I’ll tell you the real truth about it, I’m figuring on going back to the States real soon. Of course, to end this war, we have to kill the Kaiser and to kill the Kaiser we must go to Berlin, and , believe me, what it takes to kill the Kaiser, Uncle Sam’s boys have it. Clelie you ought to see how the French people are treating us, nice. They are trying hard to speak the American language and are just as anxious to learn English as the Americans are to learn French. Of course, they have nothing on me for speaking French, as you know yourself. Clelie, I owe Edith an answer but can’t write now, so don’t forget to give her my regards when you see her. I wish you would send me the New Orleans Item and the Lockport paper so I can read a little of my home people. Do that will you please? Well, I guess this will be all for this time. Will close hoping to hear from you real soon. Give my regards to everybody at home. With lots of love, Your brother Henry J. Robertson, Co. D 18th Inf. A.E.F.”

          And so it went; Henry was laid to rest at the spot he was taken from this earth. In 1921 Army Grave Registrations were taking the battlefield buried and placing them into organized burial sites through out the region. The Army asked Henry’s family if they wished for his remains to be sent back to the States. Mr. John Robertson, Henry’s dad said that his family and community would like that. In 1921 Henry was returned to the States and more directly to Lockport, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. Unceremoniously he was laid to rest in the family tomb in Holy Savior Cemetery, located in his home community of Lockport.

          During these 85 years since his home burial Henry’s resting place was known however it was never properly marked. In 1924 American Legion Post 83 and subsequently it’s Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion Squadron was organized and named after Henry J. Robertson. Several years ago while placing flags on the graves of veterans during the traditional Memorial Day event Lockport Henry J. Robertson Auxiliary Unit 83 decided it was time that Henry’s grave was properly marked. Unit President Eleanor Travirca and Americanism Chairman Linda Simoneaux began the quest by enlisting the services of an investigator, who happened to be a member of Post 83 and a former Department of Louisiana Commander, Forrest A. Travirca III.

          Placing ads in the various local newspapers, talking on the local radio station, and searching archival records turned up several of Henry’s nieces, his closest living relatives. It seems they were looking also for information regarding their Uncle, who they heard about, however never knew. With the help of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs information was secured from the Army and the National Military Archives. In October of 2009 Henry’s grave marker was received from the Veterans Administration. Finally after 91 years of that fatal day on which an artillery shell took his life the final resting place of Pvt. Henry J. Robertson, Co. D, 18th Inf. U.S.A. became known to the world. A dedication ceremony was held at Henry J. Robertson American Post 83 Legion Home in Lockport on November 7, 2009 with full military honors presented by Central Lafourche High School JROTC Honor Guard, and a musical salute by Lockport Middle School Band under the direction of Jena Duplessis. The conclusion of this event was the result of the dedication of Henry J. Robertson Auxiliary Unit 83 who initiated the idea and who saw it to completion. Attending the ceremony were: Judy Robertson Breaux, Bonnie Robertson Ulrich, Betty Robertson Ulrich, and Elizabeth Robertson Dardar nieces of Henry.
Written by: Forrest A. Travirca III