Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Robert John Beattie Robinson, known as John or Jack, was the older son of Robert Robinson and Jessie née Beattie who had married in 1879. He was born on 1 March 1894 at Maungatua, Taieri near Dunedin. Jack had a much older sister Madeline Mackenzie Robinson, a younger sister Bessie Elliott Isabella Robinson who died in 1899 at six weeks, and a younger brother Elliott Roberts Pretorius Robinson, the Elliot name coming from their mother’s ancestry. Elliott transferred to Fairlie School in 1913 and did well in swimming. Jack grew up at Maungatua, West Taieri, where his father farmed Lee Creek and took a great interest in the district. He may have attended Berwick School where his father was a member of the school committee for fourteen years. About 1912 Robert Robinson took over the Gladstone Hotel at Fairlie but still had the lease on his farm and would return for Taieri County meetings. Mr Robert Robinson (Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie) died in November 1914 at Outram and was buried at West Taieri Cemetery with his infant daughter. Much sympathy was extended to Mrs Robinson, her daughter and two sons in their loss of a loving husband and kind father. Mr and Mrs Robinson were well and widely known and noted for their kindness and hospitality at Taieri and Fairlie. Jessie Robinson, the sole executor and beneficiary of the will of Robert Robinson late of the Gladstone Hotel, applied on 8 June 1915 for a Publican’s licence in respect of said hotel.

Being compete, South Canterbury’s quota for the 18th Reinforcements left for Trentham on 28 June 1916. The men paraded at the Drill Shed in Timaru at 12.30, where they were addressed by the Mayor and Rev. Dean Tubman. They then boarded the first express north, disembarking at Temuka, where, in recognition of the splendid efforts of the Temuka district in all patriotic works and in compliance with a request from that district, they were farewelled by the Temuka residents. After a public welcome and farewell at the Temuka Drill Shed at 3 p.m., the recruits marched to the station, followed by the public. The business people unanimously agreed to close their shops between 3 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. The contingent continued the journey north to Lyttelton by the second express. Robert John Beattie Robinson enlisted on 29 June 1916 at Trentham, having been medically examined on 6 May 1916. He was 5 feet 8½ inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33-36 inches. His complexion was fresh, his eyes grey and his hair brown. His sight in the right eye was good, in the left not quite so good. His hearing and colour vision both good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal. Free from illnesses, diseases and fits, and vaccinated, he was in good bodily and mental health. He had served with the 5th Otago Mounted Rifles. A shepherd at Fairlie, single and Presbyterian, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Jessie Robinson, Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie.

Robert J. B. Robinson was admitted to Featherston Hospital on 13 August 1916 with measles and discharged on 21 August. Later in August at Trentham, R. J. B. Robinson, 18th Reinforcements, C Company, was temporarily appointed a lance-corporal. On a Tuesday evening in mid-September 1916 a send-off social was given by the residents of Fairlie to Lance-Corporal J. Robinson and three comrades. They were home on final leave and were returning to camp in a few days. Successful and enthusiastic entertainment was provided, short farewell addresses given, and hearty cheers for the departing boys. Cards and dancing filled up the evening pleasantly, and an excellent supper was provided. A working model showing munitions in the making and troops and ships in motion was exhibited and much admired, bringing a tidy sum towards the patriotic funds for the youthful owner. The singing of the National Anthem brought the gathering to a conclusion shortly after midnight. Private Robinson had been promoted to Lance-Corporal at Trentham on 4 August 1916 and to Corporal on 4 October 1916. Corporal R. J. B. Robinson embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion of the 18th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Plymouth, England, per the “Tofua” on 11 October 1916. Disembarking on 29 December 1918, he marched in to Sling and reverted to Lance Corporal. Proceeding overseas to France on 11 February 1917, he relinquished his appointment as Temporary Lance Corporal and joined his Battalion as Private on 14 March.

Sick with slight bronchitis, he was admitted to the No. 3 New Zealand Field Ambulance on 7 August 1917. Six days later he was admitted to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station and on 15 August to the No. 2 Australian General Hospital at Wimereux. He was transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne, France on 29 August. After being attached to Strength on 2 September 1917, he was admitted to 24 General Hospital at Etaples on 4 September, again with bronchitis. He embarked for England by Hospital Ship on 11 September 1917 and was admitted to No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital at Walton-on-Thames the next day, suffering from severe defective heart action, although his case was initially reported as not severe. Late in November, Mrs Robinson, Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie, received word from the High Commissioner that her son had slightly improved in health.

He was classified unfit by the Medical Board assembled 28 January 1918. He had been exposed to enemy shell gas on Active Service. His disability was initially deemed permanent and assessed at 80% for pension purposes, and further hospital treatment was recommended. He had been gassed at Ploegsteert, Belgium, on 1 August 1917. A series of ambulance/hospital admissions followed. On 4 September Tachycardia was noted. On hospital admission on 12 September, he complained of shortness of breath when moving about. He still had Tachycardia as of 27 December 1917. He suffered from shortness of breath on exertion and even when in bed, with a choking feeling and tachycardia, each attack usually lasting from 15 to 20 minutes.

Word was received in early March 1918 that Fairlie soldier 29191 Lance-Corporal J. B. Robinson, the son of Mrs R. Robinson, Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie, was due to arrive home in March. He had embarked per the “Maunganui” on 2 February 1918 at Liverpool. Draft 148 was to arrive in Wellington on Monday, 18 March, and leave for Lyttelton in the evening. The Medical Board assembled on the “Maunganui” on 9 March 1918 reported that he was improving slowly. He would be unfit for Active Service permanently and for civil employment for two months. It was recommended that he be considered for a half pension.

On 22 March a most successful social to welcome home Lance-Corporal Robinson and two comrades was held in the Fairlie Public Hall. “There was a good attendance, and the arrangements, as usual, worked with the utmost smoothness. The hall looked pretty in its patriotic decorations, and a pleasant night’s entertainment was provided with supper and a dance.” Speeches of welcome were given, and cheers were given for the returned men and for those still taking part in the great battle at the front. 29191 L.Cpl Robt. J. B. Robinson, Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie, was granted Sick Leave from 20 to 26 March 1918. He was discharged on 16 April 1918, no longer physically fit for War Service as the result of gas poisoning (shell). All his service, for which he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal, was in Western Europe.

Robert John Beattie Robinson married Jeannie Leslie Robinson (known as Dolly) on 11 June 1919 at First Church, Dunedin. On the Saturday following, a most enjoyable social evening was tendered to Mr and Mrs Jack Robinson at the residence of Mrs Robinson senr., Fairlie. Mr Jack Robinson was a returned soldier, and when it became known that he was returning to Fairlie, a large number of his returned soldier friends and others determined to give him and his bride a hearty welcome. The toast of “The Bride and Bridegroom” was proposed, followed by “The parents of Bride and Bridegroom” and other toasts. Songs and other musical items were contributed by several of those present, and “Auld Lang Syne” closed a most enjoyable evening. Jeannie’s family, too, had come out from Cumberland, England, and settled at Berwick, though at a much later date.

J. Robinson was named in the backs for the Mackenzie County Veterans team which played a football match against the Fairlie Football Club on 12 July 1919, in aid of the Soldiers’ Memorial Fund. Robinson was also named in the Returned Soldier’s team which narrowly lost on the preliminary round of the Fairlie Senior Seven-a Side at the beginning of October 1919. In November 1919 Mrs Jessie Robinson, licensee of the Gladstone Hotel, was fined for selling liquor out of hours. When Mrs Jessie Robinson applied to renew the hotel licence in 1920, there was an objection on the grounds that she “did not live at the hotel, took no active part in the management, and practically just held the licence on behalf of another person.” She lived on a cottage some distance from the hotel, which cottage Mr Robinson had lived in for health reasons. As well, the accommodation at the hotel was often overtaxed. Mrs Robinson also stated that she did take an active part in the work of the hotel. After several people spoke very favourably of the establishment, the licence was renewed.

Several new records were set at the 1920 Easter Monday Fairlie A. and P. Show, and the attendance was the largest on record. R. J. B. Robinson was placed first in the Hack to carry 15 stone class. The following year there was again a record attendance and again a prize for R. J. Robinson – first for Troop Horses Tilting the ring (for returned soldiers). Was he the J. Robinson whose “Gale” (or “Gael”) annexed the Soldier’s Shield and Mrs McMillan’s medal with 52 points at the Mackenzie Collie Dog Club’s trials at Burke’s Pass in 1921? He had also competed in The Long Pull. R. J. B. Robinson had his day in court in February 1921, when he and another were charged with committing a breach of the peace at Kimbell on Sunday, 26 December 1920. Pleading guilty, they were fined and warned that the public road was not the pace to settle their differences. Robert John Beattie Robinson and another were again charged with a breach of the peace, this time at Fairlie on 22 November 1921. After visiting Ashwick Flat and Kimbell, they returned to Fairlie and began fighting in the early hours of the morning. On the evidence given, Robinson’s case was dismissed.

A daughter Jessie Myrtle Robinson had been born to Jack and Dolly in May 1920 at Fairlie. A second daughter, Joyce Evelyn Robinson, was born in December 1922. Two months later – on 22 February 1923 - Robert John Beattie Robinson died at Waimate Hospital, as the result of an accident. Dolly survived him by over 55 years. In charge of a team of horses, he was found lying unconscious on the road. Suffering from a fractured skull, he was taken to hospital where he died. He was interred privately at West Taieri Cemetery, with his infant daughter Bessie and his father, a beautifully decorative headstone gracing the grave. Jeannie and their two children were then at Sarah Street, Timaru, Jessie with them. His mother Jessie had moved into Timaru in about 1922. The verdict at the inquest was that the victim of the Waihaorunga fatality had died as a result of being thrown from a horse. When the doctor arrived, he was unconscious, bleeding from the right ear, and breathing stertorously. In spite of the treatment at the hospital he never regained consciousness. He became paralysed down the right side of the body and immediately before death his temperature rose to 108 degrees. At 5.45 p.m. on February 22nd he died, the cause of death being fracture of the base of the skull, laceration of, and haemorrhage into the substance of the brain. “Elliott Roberts Robinson said he was a brother of the deceased and identified the body as that of his brother, who was aged 29 years. He was a married man with two of a family. His occupation was that of a shepherd, and he resided in Timaru. He was working at Pentland Hills with Mr M. Meehan.” John Robinson had been in Mr Meehan’s employ since October 25th, 1922, as a shepherd and musterer. On the 20th inst., he left for Waihao Forks with four hacks for shoeing. He left riding one and leading three. The horse he rode down to the Forks was a quiet one. The horse deceased had been riding on the return journey had been raced, and was unmanageable and excitable beside other horses. The deceased was a good horseman. It was easily seen the horse had fallen it being badly cut on the knees and side. It had been raining for two hours and it appeared that the horse had lost its footing on the bridge and slid along the road for about six or eight yards.

In March 1923, Mrs R. J. Robinson and Mrs J. Robinson thanked all kind friends and relations for letters, telegrams personal expressions of sympathy and floral tributes received in their sad and sudden bereavement, and thanks especially the staff of Waimate Hospital. “ROBINSON. - In sad and loving memory of my dear son, Robert John Beattie (Jack), who passed away at Waimate Hospital, February 22, 1923. Gone, but not forgotten. – Inserted by his loving mother.” (23 February 1926.) Jessie Robinson died in May 1940 at her Timaru residence, where she had lived since leaving the Gladstone Hotel, and was buried at West Taieri Cemetery with her husband, daughter Bessie and son John. She was survived by her older daughter and younger son. Jeannie Leslie Robinson (Dolly) died on 10 April 1978 at Timaru (late of Berwick), aged 83 years, and was cremated at Salisbury Park Crematorium. She was survived by her two daughters, their husbands, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Jeannie lived for about twenty years, from the 1920s till the 1940s, with her own family at Arawa House, Berwick. Jessie married on 1 August 1942 at St Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin; Joyce married in 1949.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [03 April 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5550 0099072) [03 April 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs); Evening Star, 26 & 27 November 1914, Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1914, 2 & 7 December 1914, 5 December 1917, 9 August 1919, 23 February 1923, 23 May 1940, 12 September 1942, Timaru Herald, 28 November 1914, 2 December 1914, 9 March 1915, 10 May 1915, 27 June 1916, 16 September 1916, 7 September 1917, 30 November 1917, 6, 18 & 27 March 1918, 21 June 1919, 11 July 1919, 3 October 1919, 21 November 1919, 6 April 1920, 2 June 1920, 23 February 1921, 28 March 1921, 15 April 1921, 22 December 1921, 3 March 1923, 23 February 1926, 4 July 1928, 23 May 1940, Evening Post, 31 August 1916, Poverty Bay Herald, 5 September 1917, Sun, 13 March 1918, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 23 & 24 February 1923, Press, 24 February 1923, 11 April 1978, Temuka Leader, 24 February 1923, Otago Witness, 27 February 1923 (Papers Past) [04 & 08 February 2014; 07 March 2014; 02 May 2014; 15 June 2015; 10, 11 & 15 January 2016; 26, 27 & 28 May 2020; 16 January 2021; 01 January 2023; 07 August 2023]; Timaru Herald, 23 February 1923, 11 & 12 April 1978 (Timaru District Library) [12 & 13 January 2015]; West Taieri Cemetery headstone image (Find A Grave; Dunedin City Council) [26 May 2020; 06 August 2023]; West Taieri Cemetery headstone transcription & burial details [06 August 2023]; Salisbury Park Crematorium records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG microfiche records) [March 2014]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [2014; 06 August 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• ROBINSON Robert John Beattie - newspaper clippings (pdf, 198.2 KB updated 20-Sep-2023)

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