ROBINSON, George Frederick


No.6073, Lance Corporal, George ROBINSON
Aged 33


2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
Killed in Action on Wednesday, 10th March 1915


Queen's South Africa medal (1901 and 1902 clasps)


George Frederick Robinson was born in Newmarket in 1882 (Newmarket Q4-1882 3B:511), son of Frederick and Louisa ROBINSON (née TURNER).

1891 census...Aged 8, he was at Trevethan's Cottages, Icewelll Hill, Newmarket with his father Frederick G. ROBINSON [28] turf correspondent born Sheffield; his mother Louisa [29] born Orford, Suffolk, sister Celia Kate [5] and brother Ernest George [2]. The three children were born in Newmarket.

1901 census...He is not found in this census, probably in the Army. His Army number suggests enlistment in 1899. His parents had moved to Sand Street, Soham (father now a builder's labourer) with brothers Gilbert [8] born Newmarket and Joseph [1], born Fordham

He married May Violet LONG [19-11-1883] in 1910 (Newmarket Q3-1910 3B:1199)

1911 census...Aged 29, he was at East Fen Common, Soham with his father in law George LONG (senior), widower [65] hedger and feller; his wife May [29] and their son George Frederick [31-8-1910]; brother in law George LONG junior and George LONG senior's grandchildren Elise and Bert LONG.

George and May had 2 more children, Ernest [19-5-1912] and Ivy [16-2-1915]

His brother in law George LONG was killed in France in 1918- see here



He enlisted in London. He was awarded the 1914 Star but no clasp. This may be due to no claim being made for the clasp, or, as he only arrived in France on 19th November 1914, he may not have reached the front line before midnight on 22nd November.

The war diary:-
The Battalion was employed as trench garrison (a very heavy bombardment opened on the German trenches at 7:30 am), at 8:05 the 23rd and 25th Brigades assaulted. Heavy fighting continued all day). Capt. J.Macpherson was killed and about 30 men killed and wounded. In the evening part of B + D Coys occupied the moated farm outside our line and some trenches taken by our troops from the enemy.


CWGC put the number killed in the battalion as 22, with George one of only two to have an identified grave. CWGC have Captain Macpherson as a Cameron Highlander.

Local press report:-
SOHAM SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION
"it is again our painful duty to record the death of another Soham soldier, Lance-Corporal George Robinson, son of Mrs.Robinson of No.1 Red Row, which occurred on March 10th. Lance Corpl. Robinson, who was a reservist, had seen much active service abroad. He served through the South African War with the Scots Fusiliers, and was recognised by his Company therein as a first-class signaller. In fact he had done duty as such during the early part of the present war along the coast of Scotland. The official intimation received by the widow was from the officer in charge at Hamilton Station, and was worded as follows:-
"It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has been received from the War Office notifying the death of 6073 Lance-Cpl.George Robinson of the Loyal (sic) Scots Fusiliers, which occurred on the 10th day of March, 1915, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death was "Killed in Action."
Lance-Corpl. Robinson, who was only 33 years of age, leaves a widow and three children, the youngest being only about six weeks old. The photograph published herewith was taken in South Africa when the deceased was on service there. The following message has also been received by Mrs Robinson from Lord Kitchener :- "The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of the King and Queen in your sorrow. - Kitchener".




site of George's original burial, once Cuthbert's Farm cemetery.




photo: Rodney Gibson




photo:Rodney Gibson



George Robinson is buried in Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, grave 4:A:11
He was initially buried in Cuthbert Farm Cemetery, Neuve Chappelle, grave C:6 but then concentrated to Rue-Petillon in 1925.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details

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