Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ajana’ A31 for Suez 22.12.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 12th Reinf, 16th Battalion.
Robinson disembarked with the 12th Reinf. 16th Bn. at Suez. They were taken on strength at Tel-el Kebir. Following the evacuation from ANZAC, the 48th Bn was created with experienced soldiers and new recruits. Robinson was transferred from 16th Bn. to 48th Bn. ‘B’ Coy. at Zeitoun and promoted to T/Sgt. 9.3.1916. He joined the BEF at Alexandria and embarked per ‘Caledonia’ for France He disembarked with the 48th Bn. at Marseilles 9.6.1916. The 48th Bn. fought at Pozieres during August 1916. Robinson was promoted to T/ Cpl. 16.10.1916. The 48th Bn Fought at the first Battle of Bullecourt in early 1917. During this period Robinson was promoted to Cpl. 5.1.1917, to Temp. Sgt. 15.2.1917 and to T/Cpl 11.4.1917. He was reinstated as T/Sgt. Robinson was reported Missing in action at Bullecourt 11.4.1917. In this battle 1,700 Australian soldiers were taken prisoner by the Germans (AWM First battle of Bullecourt). He was seriously wounded with a SW to the head when he was taken prisoner. Robinson died from wounds received in action as a POW, whilst interned at Res. Lazarett, 1 Aachen, Germany 15.4.1917,
The cause of death was from a head injury and heart failure resulting from the wounds received in action. He died at Marienne Hospital Aachen and was buried at the cemetery of Honours, Grave No. 172. His remains were exhumed to South Cemetery, Cologne, Rhine Province, Plot 13, Row D, Grave 18. (1923)
This cemetery is known today as Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany.
Final Rank T/Sgt. 48th Australian Infantry Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, died of wounds as POW.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Robinson is variously referred to as attaining the final rank of Cpl, T/Sgt and Sgt.
Photos Pozieres Battle Field June 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source  AWM E05391
              Ruined village of of Boursieres (Boursies) in the Bullecourt sector 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01303
              Convalescing POWs at Lazarette Ohrdruf i Thur. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A01306
              Cologne Southern Cemetery. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC
              C.W. Robinson. Obituary.  Family Notices The West Australian 9.8.1917 p1

Information Source
AWM E05391. Pozieres Battle Field June 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australin War Memorial
AWM E01303. Ruined village of of Boursieres (Boursies) in the Bullecourt sector 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM A01306. Convalescing POWs at Lazarette Ohrdruf i Thur. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll-Cecil Williams Robinson
AWM Roll of Honour- Cecil William Robinson
CWGC. Cologne Southern Cemetery. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/34600/COLOGNE%20SOUTHERN%20CEMETERY
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Robinson Cecil Williams
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
St Matthew’s Fallen
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories

18 Stephen Street, Guildford, WA.
 original address 193-195 James Street (c/- J S Milne Bakery)

Associated Images