MILITARY HISTORY
JOHN ROY ROBINSON – 59847 – Active Service (World War I)
On November 19th, 1914 John Roy Robinson completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in Kingston, Ontario. He was 21 years old, when as a single man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. John Robinson indicated that he was born in Bridgenorth, Ontario, and gave his birth date November 16th, 1894. The Attestation Paper does not indicate where he was educated or to what level. His current address was not listed. He indicated that he had no previous Military experience. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists ”Canoe Builder”. Robinson was 5′ 6 1/2” tall, and had a 33 1/2” chest (expanded). He had a fair complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. His medical examination took place in Kingston, Ontario, November 17th, 1914. He had no medical issues or physical limitations, and as such he was deemed fit (Category A), for Overseas duty with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His next-of-kin was listed as his mother, Isabella Robinson of Lakefield, Ontario. John Robinson signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation on November 19th, 1914. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on November 19th, 1914 also in Kingston, Ontario. John Roy Robinson was taken-on-strength as a ”Private” with the 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF and was assigned Regimental Service Number 1639. This was later changed to 59847.
The Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit was signed November 17th, 1914 also in Kingston, Ontario.
The 21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario) was authorized and formed up in Kingston, Ontario November 7th, 1914. It recruited men from: Lindsay, Lakefield, Peterborough, Port Hope, and all points east to the Ontario/Quebec Border.
There is no indication, in the Military File, where Pte. Robinson and the 21st Battalion trained. Initially, in previous postings, it was thought that it was at Valcartier, Quebec, which in 1914-15, was the main Training Camp for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. was located at Valcartier, Quebec.
Subsequent research indicates that the Battalion training activities were centred at the Kingston Armoury.
After being formed, half of the Battalion was accommodated in the converted stables of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, in the adjacent Artillery Park. The other half was housed in a large converted cereal mill, on the water front, at the foot of Gore Street. Initially, the Battalion was organized into 8 Companies (A to H). It was later organized into 4 Companies (A to D).
In either case, the training and facilities would have been rudimentary. The men would have received training in: marching, musketry (rifle) and bayonet drills. The Officers, among other things, would have practiced swordsmanship and the use of pistols. The main goal was to form the men into Units, and ship them off to England, as quickly as possible, where they would complete their training.
Pte. Robinson embarked from Montreal on May 6th, 1915 aboard the RMS Metagama, with the 2nd draft of the 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion. On May 15th, 1915 the Unit disembarked in Davenport, England and entrained for Westenhanger Station, followed by a march to West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent. The Unit trained at West Sandling until they departed for France mid September, 1915.
September 1915: the first part of the Battalion departed for France on September 12th, 1915. Pte. Robinson, and the balance of the Battalion embarked from Folkestone, England on September 14th, for France aboard the St. Seiorol. Research indicates that, for an unknown reasons: halfway across the English Channel, the ship was turned back by Naval Authorities. They sailed the following morning, arriving at Boulogne, France, midday, on 15th.
In France, the 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion was part of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade – 2nd Canadian Division.
There are no entries in the Military File from September 14th, 1915 and September 15th, 1916 when he was reported wounded.
To trace his movements during this time, the 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion War Diary was used.
After a day’s halt at a Rest Camp, they entrained for St. Omer. Departing from St. Omer, they marched to Renesure, where they rested, before moving on to Eecke, France on September 17th, and then to Dranoutre on the 18th. On the 19th, the ”A and C” Companies relieved the 2nd Battalion – East Surreys (British) in the front-line trenches. ”B and D” Companies, moved into the Line on September 21st. On the 27th, the Battalion was relieved by the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion, and they moved to billets at Dranoutre, where they rested.
October 1915: on October 3rd, they moved back to the front-line trenches, where they relieved the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion. The situation from the 3rd to 9th was reported as normal. The Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion on the 9th. Upon relief, the Battalion proceeded to billets at La Cylette, where they remained until the 15th. The evening of the 15th, the Battalion relieved the 20th Battalion in the front-line trenches. The situation from the 15th to the 21st was reported as normal. On the 21st, the Battalion was relieved by the 20th, Battalion and it marched to a Brigade Reserve position near Ridgewood. They remained there until the night of the 27th/28th, when they moved back to the trenches and, once again, relieved the 20th Battalion, where they remained for the rest of the month.
November 1915: the month opened showing the Battalion at Dranoutre. On the 2nd, the Battalion ”packed up and moved off at 5:00 pm, arriving at RAP C trenches by 7:30 pm”. From the 2nd to 8th, a number of men were reported as being wounded. On the 8th, the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion. They now moved to billets at La Clyette, where they remained until the 14th. The morning of the 15th, they moved to trenches at Dickebusch. Over the next several days, the Battalion experienced a number of casualties. On October 21st, the Battalion moved to a Brigade Reserve Position at Ridgewood., where it remained until the 27th, when it moved back into the trenches. Where it remained until the end of the month.
December 1915 – the Battalion was in billets at La Clytte, where it remained until the 16th, when they moved to a position identified as ”N – O trenches”. In general, the line was as quiet, until the 19th, when the enemy fired a number of gas shells into the area occupied by the Battalion. As a result of the prevailing winds carrying the fumes over the trenches, many of the men suffered eye and throat troubles. On the 22nd, they were relieved, and proceeded to a Brigade Reserve position at Ridgewood, where they were busy in work parties. The 25th, being Christmas Day, was a day of rest, with no fatigue or work parties. The day was celebrated in a very quiet manner, with plenty of Christmas Puddings. On the 28th, it was back to the N – O trenches, where it finished out the month.
January 1916 – on the 3rd, the Battalion was relieved, and proceeded to a Divisional Reserve position, near La Clyette. The night of the 10th/16th, the Battalion proceeded back to the N – O trenches and relieved the 20th Battalion. On the 15th/16th, the Battalion was relieved and proceeded to Ridgwood, where it formed Brigade Reserve. The evening of the 21st, it was back to the front-line trenches. After being relieved, by the 20th Battalion, the evening of the 27th, the Battalion proceeded back to Divisional Reserve at La Clyette, where it spent the rest of the month, in fatigue parties laying communication cable for the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade.
February 1916 – the Battalion made a number of moves to and from the N – O trenhces, relieving and being relieved by the 20th Battalion. When not at the front, the battalion was either in Divisional Reserve, at Ls Clytte, or Brigade Reserve, at Ridgewood.
March 1916 – was a repeated of February.
April 1916 – began with Battalion back in the N – O trenches. On the 5th, it proceeded to La Clytte, and on the 7th, to Reserve trenches at Scottish Wood. The evening of the 8th, the Battalion proceeded to “P” trenches, in preparation, for an attack on enemy positions at ”The Craters”. On the 9th, the Battalion attacked and captured No. 2 Crater, suffering 29 casualties. The Battalion was relieved on the 11th, and moved to billets at ”B Camp”. Where it remained until the 20th. From the 20th to the 24th, the Battalion was in the centre of the 4th Brigade trenches. On the 24th, it was relieved and moved to billets near Dickebusch, and then on to B Camp, where it spent the rest of the month.
May 1916 – while at B Camp, the Battalion undertook: physical training, musketry (rifle) and extended order drills. It also furnished, on a periodic basis, men for fatigue and work parties to the Reserve and Front Line. From the 9th to 13th, it was in Reserve, at Scottish Wood. The 13th to the 24th, it was in the centre sector of the 4th Brigade trenches. On the evening of the 24th, it was relieved, and moved back to B Camp, where it remained for the rest of the month.
June 1916 – was a series of moves to and from the front-line trenches and reserve positions. During its time the trenches, it was reported that enemy artillery and machine guns, were fairly active, with the Battalion resulting in a number of casualties. The month ended with the Battalion at Micmac Camp, which was the old A Camp.
July 1916 – the month opened with the battalion still at Micmac Camp. On the 4th, it moced to Chippawa Camp (the old B camp), where it stayed until the 15th. During this time, they underwent the usual training regimen. One day, the Battalion was entertained by the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Band, and participated in a sports days. From the 15th to the 23rd, it was back in the trenches, where things were reported as being quiet. On the 23rd, it was relieved, and moved back to the Micmac Camp, where it stayed until the end of the month.
August 1916 – the month began with the Battalion being shown at the Chippawa Camp., where they stayed until the 8th. The time was spent going through the normal training routine. From the 8th to the 15th, they were back in the N – O trenches. On the 15th, after relief they moved to Ridgewood, where they stayed until the 24th. They now began a series of daily marches, which, eventually took the Battalion to billets at Zouafques, France, in the Pas-de-Calais Region.
September 1916 – the Battalion now began a series of marches, that eventually took them to the area referred to as ”the Brickfields”. On the 14th, the Battalion moved into the front-line trenches, in preparation for an attack on the 15th. Three Companies were in forward positions, with the right flank on the Bapume – Albert Road extending the the left 300 yards. One Company was in reserve. At zero hour (6:20 am), an artillery barrage was laid down 50 yards in front of the enemy front-line trenches. At 6:24, it lifted to 100 yards beyond the enemy front-line, and thus began the Battle of Courcelette. The 21st Battalion’s objective was the assault and capture of the Sugar Factory. The Battalion began its advance under the cover of heavy machine gun fire. It is reported, that as a result of the accurate artillery fire, little difficulty was experienced in taking the enemy front-line trenches. The Battalion paused briefly to mop-up. The advance then continued to the next objective. On the right of the advance about 30 enemy were spotted leaving their trench and retiring. These men were accounted for by Battalion rifle fire and bombs. When the advance continued, the next point where serious opposition was met was trench from approximately R35-6-71 to R35-6-90. Here, several detached postes of enemy were encountered and were shot or bayoneted bt the Battalion first wave. At this point, the Battalion suffered heavy casualties from enemy machine gun fire coming from their left flank. These positions were eventually dealt with by the 27th Battalion, who were advancing on the left. And the advance continued. On entering the Sugar Refinery, less opposition was experienced than anticipated, and 125 enemy prisoners were taken. The Battalion now paused, and consolidated its position. Forward posts with Lewis guns were placed about 150 yards in advance, in the area of the Sunken Road. The Battalion remained in position until the 17th, when it was relieved and marched back to the area of the Brickfields, where it stayed until the end of the month.
In the War Diary, the Sugar Factory is also referred to as the Sugar Refinery.
The Military File indicates that on September 15th, 1916 Pte. Robinson was wounded at Courcellette, France, during the assault on the Sugar Factory.
His wounds were described as: severe shrapnel wounds, from a high explosive shell, to groin and both thighs, as well as lose of right little finger. He received emergency first aid in the field, before being transported to the rear, where he received further treatment.
Pte. Robinson was invalided to England, where on the 19th, he was transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre), at Folkstone, England. On the 20th, 1916 he was taken-on-strength with the CCAC. On the same day, he was admitted to the Chandon Park Hospital, at Guildford, for further treatment.
December 11th, 1916 Pte. Robinson was transferred to the CCH (Canadian Convalescent Hospital) Woodcote Park.
January 16th. 1917 he was transferred to the Moore Barracks Hospital, at Shroncliffe.
March 10th, 1917 he was struck-off-strength from the CCAC at Hastings, on transfer to the Eastern Ontario Regiment Depot (21st Battalion). March 11th, 1917 he was taken-on-strength with the Eastern Ontario Regiment Depot, at Seaford.
May 7th, 1917 he ceased to be shown in Hospital, and was ”on command” at the CCD Buxton, Seaford pending discharge to Canada. May 9th, 1917 discharged from Moore Barracks Hospital, at Shronciffe.
May 25th, 1917 ceases to be on command at CCD Buxton, and was struck-off-strength pending embarkation to Canada. On May 26th, 1917 he embarked from Liverpool, England for Canada.
June 7th, 1917 Pte. Robinson arrived in Halifax. On June 9th, 1917 Pte. Robinson was seen by Quebec Medical Board, at Quebec City, and it was recommended that he receive further Kingston. June 17th, 1917 he was admitted to Queens Military Hospital at Kingston as an outpatient. During the next 6 plus months, while he was receiving treatment, for his wounds, he was a resident at the Richardson Convalescent Home, in Kingston.
January 4th, 1918 a Medical Board, at Kingston, declared Pte. Robinson ”unfit for Military Service”, and due to his injuries, he should be declared Category ”B”, and discharged.
January 31st, 1918 he was discharged from the Canadian Expeditionary Force as unfit for further duty.
The Military File indicates that Private John Roy Robinson was eligible to receive the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
According to the Military File, Private John Roy Robinson served a total of 3 years, 2 months and 12 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1 year, 1 month and 10 days in Canada; 8 months and 7 days in the U.K., and 12 months in France.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:
”The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honourable”.
PERSONAL HISTORY
JOHN “ROY” ROBINSON
John ‘Roy’ Robinson was born in Bridgenorth on November 16, 1894, the son of William Porter Robinson and Isabella Young. Roy received his education in Smith Township and Lakefield. After his schooling, Roy found work as a canoe builder until he went to Kingston in November 1914 to enlist and serve his King and country.
After returning home from the war, John “Roy” Robinson married Edna Alice Payne in the Lakefield Methodist Church on September 10, 1918. Edna Alice Payne was born April 17, 1896, the daughter of George Payne and Charlotte Taylor. Roy was working as a hardware clerk and they made their home in Lakefield. Their only child, Earl Roy Robinson was born on September 3, 1919. Sadly Edna died suddenly of an acute heart attack on January 31, 1920 at the age of 23 and is buried in the Lakefield Cemetery.
Roy Robinson met and married Ida Jane “Lulu’ Blanche Murduff in the Lakefield Methodist Church on October 18, 1921. Lulu was born in Smith Township on January 14, 1887, the daughter of John Henderson Murduff and Priscilla Little. They lived in Lakefield and Roy continued to work as a hardware clerk. Lulu passed away on December 24, 1957 and Roy died on March 3, 1976; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
John Roy Robinson was a member of the Lakefield Methodist Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque hangs in the Sanctuary of the Lakefield United Church on Regent Street.
THE FAMILY HISTORY OF JOHN “ROY” ROBINSON
Roy Robinson’s paternal grandparents were John C. Robinson born in England in 1823 and Mary Waram born in 1823. They resided in Smith Township and had a family of eleven children. John Robinson passed away in 1890 and Mary died in 1900.
Roy Robinson’s maternal grandparents were John Young born in 1835 and Marion Alexander born in 1838. They resided in Bridgenorth and had a family of five children. John passed away on April 28, 1899 and Marion died on September 7, 1920; both are buried in the Bridgenorth Cemetery.
Roy Robinson’s parents were William Porter Robinson born in Smith Township on September 5, 1863 and Isabella Young born on April 25, 1866. They married in the Methodist Church in Smith Township on March 5, 1980 and made their home in the Bridgenorth area where William worked as a carpenter building houses. They later moved to the village of Lakefield. William and Isabella had a family of ten children – Marion Evelena, Olive Adelaide, John Roy, Vida Belle, Elma Florence, William Everett, Zetta Louisa, Percy Pennington, Hector Alexander and James Maurice Robinson. Isabella passed away on September 16, 1917 and William died on May 12, 1949; both are buried in the Lakefield Cemetery.
