217686 Pte. John Robinson British Army 3rd btn. Worcestershire Regiment from:Birmingham, (d.26th Jul 1915) John Robinson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Robinson, of No. 1 Back, 120, Long Acre, Nechells, Birmingham. He was executed for desertion on 26th July1915, aged 31. He is buried in Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium.
Private Robinson of Nechells, Birmingham was a regular soldier with 13 years previous service and had been with the Worcester Regiment 3rd Battalion since Mons in August 1914. On 27th June 1915, Private Robinson and Private Alfred Thompson absconded together after they were told that they were to be on night duty in trenches near Hooge. The 3rd Battalion had been in action in this area since 16th June.
On 5th July 1915 both Private Robinson and Private Thompson were arrested at Abancourt while they were sitting on a train bound for Rouen.
At their court martial in a statement it said that both men were good soldiers, but that it appeared they were suffering from nervous strain at the time they went absent.
Robinson was shot by firing squad with four other deserters from the 3rd Battalion on the ramparts of Ypres on the 26th July 1915. He was 31 years of age.
He was originally buried at the Ramparts Cemetery but was later transferred to the Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium, 3.5 Km northeast of Ypres town centre . His grave carries the following inscription: "In loving memory of my dear son deeply mourned by father, mother, sisters and brothers".
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