Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 8th February.... Pte Osborne Robinson was born at Stranton, West Hartlepool, Durhamshire, England in 1891.

Mr Osborne Robinson, Farm Labourer, aged 22, was a passenger on Norseman which departed London on 30th January, 1914 bound for Brisbane, Australia. Mr Osborne had contracted to land at Sydney, Australia & his country of intended future residence was listed as Australia.

Osborne Robinson enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) at Cootamundra, New South Wales on 25th July, 1915 as a 23 year old, single, Farmer.
Private Osborne Robinson embarked from Sydney on HMAT Themistocles (A32) on 5th October, 1915 with the 1st Infantry Battalion, 11th Reinforcements & disembarked at Egypt. He was transferred to Pioneer Battalion at Serapeum on 10th March, 1916.

Private Robinson embarked from Alexandria on 16th March, 1916 to join the B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 12th April, 1916.

Private Robinson was wounded in action & sent to 17th Casualty Clearing Station in France on 3rd September with a gunshot wound to hand. He was transferred to England on 6th September, 1916 on Hospital Ship Newhaven & admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road Section, Birmingham on 7th September, 1916.

Private Robinson was posted to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire on 6th October, 1916 & granted furlo on 7th October, 1916. He reported back from furlo & was medically classified B 1 A (Fit for light duty – 4 weeks).

Private Robinson was transferred to 61st Battalion & taken on strength with 61st Battalion at Wareham on 23rd March, 1917. He was transferred to Australian Pioneer Training Battalion on 24th April, 1917 & marched in to No. 4 Camp at Fovant, Wiltshire.

Private Robinson returned to France on 19th October, 1917 & rejoined his Unit on 23rd October, 1917. He was on leave to Paris from 27th February & rejoined his Battalion on 7th March, 1918.

Private Robinson was on leave to UK from 16th October & & rejoined his Battalion from leave on 1st November, 1918.

Private Robinson was marched out ready for return to Australia from France on 19th January, 1919. He was marched in to A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) on 20th January, 1919 & marched out for England on 24th January, 1919.

Private Robinson was marched in to Overseas Training Brigade in England on 25th January, 1919.

Private Osborne Robinson died on 8th February, 1919 at 6 Smallbrock Lane, Warminster from Pneumonia following Influenza.

Private Osborne Robinson was buried at east end of Church in St. John’s Churchyard, Warminster, Wiltshire, England.

A report into the death of Private Osborne Robinson was made by Capt. M. C. Blackett, Staff Officer for Colonel, C. O. A.I.F. Troops, Sutton Veny Depots.

Captain Blackett visited Private Robinson’s home at 6 Smallbrook Lane, Boreham, after his death and obtained particulars from the late Private Robinson’s mother – Mrs Edith Robinson. Mrs Robinson home address was Osborne Cottage, Reeth, Richmond, Yorkshire but she was residing in Boreham with her two daughters in order to provide a home for Private Robinson when he was on leave. Capt. Blackett described Mrs Robinson as “appears well-to-do”. The rest of the report reads: “Pte Robinson arrived from France with No. 1 quota, which reported to the Overseas Training Brigade on 25.1.19. During the four days in camp prior to his embarkation leave, he went home each evening, and although apparently suffering from a cold, he did not give his mother to understand that he reported to the R.M.O., and as he had been suffering for some time past from the effects of gas, she did not think anything serious was amiss with him”.

“As the pass herewith shows he was granted his embarkation leave on 30.1.19, and that evening complained of feeling unwell and retired to bed in his home early. He did not get up the next day, but it was not until Monday, 3.2.19 that Dr McDonald, a civilian doctor at Warminster, was called in.”

“Neither Mrs Robinson nor her daughter who nursed Pte Robinson can recall the doctor suggesting that he should be removed to the 1st Australian General Hospital, which is within a quarter of a mile from the house. The doctor told them he was suffering from pneumonia supervening on influenza.”

“Pte Robinson died in the house on 8.2.19 and up to that time, no intimation, directly or indirectly, of his illness had been made to the military authorities.”
“Similarly, he was buried at St. John’s Cemetery, Boreham, without the authorities having had notice, on the 11th his mother’s wish being that the funeral should be a private description.”

“…….. Mrs Robinson stated that she is not making any claim from the A.I.F. in respect of medical attendance or funeral expenses.”

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/warminster.html