[ London Gazette, 24 February 1857 ], Sea of Azov, Crimea, 29 May 1855, Gunner John Robarts, Royal Navy ( HMS 'Ardent' ) )

Lord Lyons reports that: "Whilst serving as Junior Lieutenant of the Miranda this officer landed in the presence of a superior force, and set fire to the Russian stores at Genitchi" and "he also performed a similar desperate service at Taganrog"

The first service referred to occurred after the shelling of the town of Genitchi, on the 29th May 1855. After mentioning that the stores were in a very favourable position for supplying the Russian Army, and that, therefore their destruction was of the utmost importance.

Captain Lyons writes:"Lieutenant Cecil Buckley, Lieutenant Hugh Burgoyne, and Mr John Roberts, gunner, volunteered to land alone, and fire the stores, which offer I accepted, knowing the imminent risk, there would be landing a party in presence of such a superior force, and out of gun-shot of the ships.

This very dangerous service they most gallantly performed, narrowly escaping the Cossacks, who all but cut them off from their boat"

( Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons, 2nd June 1855 No 419 ).

The second volunteer service was performed while the town of Taganrog was being bombarded by the ships of the Fleet, and is thus recorded by Captain Lyons – "Lieutenant Cecil Buckley, in a four-oared gig, accompanied by Mr Henry Cooper, Boatswain, and manned by volunteers, repeatedly landed and fired the different stores and Government buildings. This dangerous, not to say desperate service ( carried out in a town containing upwards of 3,999 troops, constantly endeavouring to prevent it, and only checked by the fire of the ships' guns ), was most effectually performed.

( Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons, 6th June 1855 No 429 )

John Robarts was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park, London, on the 26th June 1857.