Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Joseph Robinson, 27374, was born on 26 February 1896, the youngest son of Joseph and Margaret (née Sinclair) Robinson, of Claremont, eight of their ten children surviving infancy. His twin brother, David, died at six months of age. Although he was born at Gleniti when the family lived there, he grew up at Claremont, attended the local school and farmed there with his father.

Joseph enlisted on 8 May 1916 at the Timaru Defence Office, aged 20 years 4 months. He was already serving with the 8th South Canterbury Mounted Rifles and had registered for compulsory military service at Pareora East. Of considerably smaller build than his brother Jim, he was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 126 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 31-34½ inches. He too had a fair complexion, and blue eyes and light brown hair. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal. He was in good bodily and mental health, being free of all diseases and slight defects, was vaccinated, and he had had no illnesses of fits. He did have an oval scar1½ inches long and ¼ inch wide below and to the outer side of his left kneecap. A farmer, single, Anglican, and residing at Claremont, he named his brother as next-of-kin – Mr Fred Robinson, Claremont, Timaru. His oldest brother James Edward Robinson had been killed in action in 1915 at Gallipoli. His father (14 April 1916) and mother (May 1915) had both died in the 18 months before he departed. Consequently he was in a responsible position of trust but he regarded his country’s call as his first duty. The South Canterbury quota of the 17th Reinforcements was entertained at dinner in Stafford Tea Rooms on 31 May by the ladies of the South Canterbury War Relief Society. At 3.30 p.m., they assembled at the Drill Hall, where they were addressed by the Mayor and others, before leaving Timaru by the north-going express.

Joseph was farewelled in August 1916 at a social in the Claremont School, where a very large attendance of friends and well-wishers had gathered. He was presented with a safety razor and a watch. Joseph was held in high esteem in the district and the locals were proud to “see him in khaki”. His geniality and popularity were noted, as was his grit in coming forward so young to uphold the cause of freedom. Joseph thanked all for their present and kind expressions before himself giving an item. Dancing continued until the early hours of the morning when the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought an enjoyable evening to a close. Joseph had given an item at his brother, James's farewell function.

Private Joseph Robinson embarked with the 17th Reinforcements, leaving Wellington for Devonport, England on 25 September 1916 per the “Devon”. Disembarking at Devonport on 21 November, he marched into Sling. It was 8 December when he proceeded overseas from Sling. On 31 January 1917 in the Field, sent to hospital, sick, Private Joseph Robinson was admitted firstly to the 3rd New Zealand Field Ambulance and then to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. He was admitted to the Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on 2 February 1917 and discharged from the 51 General Hospital (Venereal Hospital) at Etaples three weeks later. Having been admitted to Segregation Camp on 12 April 1917, he was admitted to the 24th General Hospital in France on 27 April, with mumps. Almost six weeks elapsed before he was transferred to the 6th Convalescent Depot, and from there discharged to the Base Depot. For a month in August-September he was detached to Corps School.

On 10 January 1918, he was wounded in action in France, his brother Mr F. Robinson of Claremont, receiving word to this effect in mid January. Admitted to the 3rd New Zealand Field Ambulance the next day, he was then admitted to hospital at Rouen, but the word later in the month was that he had been admitted to the New Zealand Hospital at Brockenhurst on 16 January 1918, severely wounded. He had suffered a gunshot wound to his right thigh and embarked for England on the Hospital Ship on 16th. Soon after his was reported as a severe case. In late February he was attached to Strength at Codford. Admitted to the New Zealand General Hospital from Codford on 11 April 1918, suffering from scabies, Joseph was discharged on 17 April. In May, from Sling, he was attached to the School of Instruction at Tidworth, where he qualified “Good”. This was after he had forfeited 5 days full pay in 1918, for earlier disobedience and absence from his quarters without a pass. In June-July 1918 he spent time at the School of Instruction at Lyndhurst, qualifying “First Class”, and in September at the Gas School at Chiseldon (“Good”).

In October 1918 he was appointed Lance Corporal and Temporary Corporal and in December 1918 at Sling he was promoted to Corporal. Corporal J. Robinson, 27374, of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, embarked at Tilbury on 1 April 1919 per the “Arawa” (Draft No. 244), reaching Lyttelton about 12 May 1919. He was discharged on 12 June 1919, on the completion of his term of engagement, and received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, having served for two years 233 days abroad. On 29 September 1919 at Claremont, he signed for the Overseas War-Service Gratuity. And he wrote from Claremont in March 1921, applying for a refund of his fine (25 shillings).

Joseph was one of three soldiers welcomed home at a social gathering at Claremont in May 1919, when he was presented with a gold medal from the Claremont Patriotic Committee. There were also addresses, vocal items, a selection on the bagpipes, a dance, and a bounteous supper. After 971 days of service, Joseph was to receive an Overseas War-Service Gratuity of 71 pounds 3 shillings and 6 pence. On 29 March 1921 he applied for a refund of his first month's addition of pay in camp and his fine (25 shillings) - a total of 2 pounds 13 shillings. The response is not known. Joseph was again in fine voice at a Claremont social function on 1 April 1920 when he contributed songs.

Joseph had made a Will and deposited it with his brother Frederick. Joseph married Mary Elizabeth Dunnill on 21 March 1923 at the Chalmers Presbyterian Church in Timaru. At the time he was farming at Claremont. In December 1912 Joseph’s oldest sister Sarah had married. Joseph was likely at the dance given for the young people of the district by Mr and Mrs Robinson at their residence in the evening. His second sister, Mary, who had married a month earlier at her parent’s Claremont residence, died suddenly in 1917 in Dunedin. His youngest sister Clara married in 1921 at Pleasant Point, after the deaths of both parents. His brother Frederick was drawn in the ballot in 1917 but his appeal was dismissed as he was passed as fit only for Home Service. In September 1916 Frederick had worn fancy costume (Breakdown) for the Euchre Club’s fund-raising efforts in aid of the Red Cross.

Joseph and Elizabeth lived at Greendale, with their children, and there he worked as a farm labourer. They later moved to Christchurch. Joseph Robinson died on 4 August 1976 at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch and was cremated at Harewood Crematorium. When the war broke out and “Europe was ablaze”, a call was made for volunteers for service and “Claremont did its full share”. One of the Claremont men who gave service was Corporal Jos. Robinson.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [23 November 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5550 0099019 [27 August 2014]; Timaru Herald, 16 November 1912, 21 December 1912, 9 & 31 May 1916, 22 August 1916, 30 September 1916, 14 March 1917, 20 April 1917, 24 & 31 January 1918, 2 February 1918, 26 May 1919, 9 April 1920, 24 December 1921, Lyttelton Times, 24 January 1918, Otago Daily Times, 24 January 1918, New Zealand Times, 29 April 1919 (Papers Past) [24 November 2013; 15 June 2015; 10 January 2016; 22, 25, 26 & 27 May 2020]; School Admission Registers (South Canterbury Branch NZSG transcriptions) [November 2013]; Cremation details included in Cenotaph Database; South Canterbury Presbyterian Marriage Certificate (South Canterbury Museum) [20 June 2014]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [28 August 2014; 29 May 2020]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

TS