Harry and his parents
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Henry Robinson, known affectionately as Harry, was born at St. Peter, Stockton in 1894, one of 8 children of whom only 5 survived, he was the eldest of 3 sons and 2 daughters. Three of his siblings died in infancy, Thomas William born 1898 died aged 4 years in 1902, Olivia Ann born 1899 died that same year and 1 gender unknown. His parents John William Robinson of Darlington, County Durham, born 1871 and Olivia Pretty born 1873 at Guisborough, Yorkshire were married in 1892 at Stockton, County Durham. In 1901 the family were living in Stockton at 43, Bickersteth Street, John William employed as a labourer at the ironworks. Ten years later he was still employed by Carlton Iron Works but was now a stationary engine-man at the blast furnace. George Henry had left school and age 17 years was an apprentice boiler-smith. His siblings Winifred (10) and Edmund (8) were scholars, Olivia (4), named after her deceased sister and John William (3) remained at home with their mother, they had moved to 6, North Street, Stillington, near Ferryhill.
On the outbreak of war George Henry Robinson enlisted in 1914 at West Hartlepool assigned as Private 19703 and was transferred to the 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, part of Kitchener’s New Third Army. Once mobilised they joined the 63rd Brigade, 21st Division and after initial training near home moved to Halton Park and then on to billets in Leighton Buzzard where they spent the winter. The battalion was moved to Tring during May 1915 then to Whitley by August for final training and departed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force, September 11th 1915, landing at Boulogne. Soon after Harry’s departure, his father John William Robinson died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1915, aged 45 years, registered in the district of Stockton, County Durham.
Marched across France they entered the front line during the Battle of Loos, September 26th, where the Division suffered 3,800 casualties. In 1916 they were moved to the Somme where they saw action on the first day of battle, July 1st 1916 at Albert, before being transferred July 8th to the 63rd Brigade, 37th Division and although they remained on the Somme they did not participate in any further major battles.
Having risen through the ranks, the now Lance Corporal 19703 George Henry Robinson York and Lancaster Regiment was killed in action November 19th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating British and South African servicemen who died on the Somme 1915 to 1918 and have no known grave. He was 22 years old and single.
His mother Olivia as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Olivia remarried during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1919 to James W. Wilson. Olivia Wilson-Robinson nee Pretty died at her daughter’s home in 1950, aged 78 years, registered in the district of Stockton, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Henry Robinson is remembered at Stillington on S137.01 and S137.02
