Born: 1893, Thornton
Died: 19 July 1917, Belgium
Buried: Perth Cemetery, China Wall
Address: Lower Holme, Woodbottom, Baildon
Parents: William & Elizabeth
Spouse:
Siblings: Ada, Frank, Tom, Laura, Irvin
Occupation: Apprentice plumber
Organisations/clubs: Baildon Woodbottom FC
Military
Rank: Sapper
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour:
Children:
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Willie Robinson
According to the census, Willie
Robinson was born around 1893. In
1901 he was living with his parents
and elder siblings at 99 Bradford
Road Otley. He father was a
foreman at a local worsted mill and
several of Willie’s older brothers
were also in the mill.
Ten years later, Willie appears as an
apprentice plumber living with
what looks likely to have been his
boss, Charles Turner, builder, at
Laughton near Rotherham.
Willie answered his country’s call
in 1915 and in 1994, his nephew
and namesake wrote own what he
knew of his uncle’s army career
“I was always told Uncle Billy was
the youngest brother of my father,
Tom Robinson. He played football
with him for the Baildon
Woodbottom football team.
One day an agent from Carlisle FC
spotted him and he wanted him to
play for them. I understand he
accepted and did so until he
volunteered for the army in 1915.
“When he joined the army they
found out about his record as a
footballer and an officer came to
him and said ‘we are putting you
into the army team so you will
never go to France, lad.’
“This was all right but in the last
match that he played for the army
he broke his big toe which in those
days finished his football career.
Within a week he was in the front
line and in a few weeks he was
dead. So much for army promises.
“He was serving with the 18th Div,
Signal Coy, Royal Engineers
somewhere between Zilleberg and
Ypres when he was killed. The
army knew him as 480226 Sapper
Robinson, W.
“The above is all I know about him.
My father didn’t like to talk much
about him, it upset him too much. I
bear his name and so does my
second son.”
This piece and photo supplied by
Willie’s great nephew Eddy
Robinson to whom many thanks
The following piece appeared in the
Shipley Times & Express on 17
August 1917:
The sad intelligence recently reached
Mr and Mrs Robinson of 12 Lower
Holme, Woodbottom, that their
youngest son, Sapper Willie
Robinson of the Royal Engineers,
was killed.
Sapper Robinson enlisted in
September 1915 and after training at
Newcastle and Salisbury Plain, went
to France in April this year, contracting trench
fever soon after his arrival there.
His mother was the recipient of a letter recently
from Major Willis, informing her that her son
had been killed by a shell on July 19th.
In the course of his letter Major Willis expresses
sympathy with the parents and family of the
deceased soldier and says that although he had
been with them only short time he had
made many friends would be greatly
missed by officers and men alike. He
was highly respected.
Of a most genial disposition, Sapper
Robinson’s demise will be deplored by
a large circle of friends. He was 24
years of age and in civil life was
engaged as a plumber by Mr S
Rushworth of Shipley.
Sgt T Coulter, writing on July 27th
says: “Dear Mrs Robinson, I feel it
incumbent upon me to write you regarding the
death of your beloved son in action on the 19th
inst.
“It is a very sad duty for me to perform but
knowing all the circumstances, I felt perhaps my
writing may strengthen you to bear the terrible
shock which must be yours
“He was doing his duty with another of my men
when struck by a shell which killed them both
instantaneously.
“His loss is felt by one and all with whom he
was a great favourite and as his section sergeant,
I personally feel his loss very much and know
how immeasurable your sorrow must be.
“May God in his goodness comfort and console
you and give you strength to carry your burden
bravely. May you be soothed by the knowledge
that he died on duty for King, Country, Right
and Liberty. He died that we might live.
“Whilst with us he endeared himself to all and it
was with great respect we laid him peacefully to
rest, erecting over his last resting place a cross,
giving all particulars and this knowledge will
ease your aching heart.
“He proved himself a good, honest and obliging
soldier. In again expressing my deepest
sympathy, I trust this letter may prove of some
consolation in your irreparable loss.”
