ROBINSON Herbert Freemont

Herbert Freemont Robinson was the second child of Philip Henry Robinson and Lucy Mann. He was a man of 22 years and 4 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 27 August 1915 at Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a railway porter at the time. He was described as 5 feet 4 inches (162.6cm) tall. He weighed 154 pounds (70kg) and had a fair complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. Herbert noted his religion as Church of England. He was a single man and listed his father, who was living at Yarranlea via Pittsworth, Queensland at the time, as his next of kin. Later, Herbert’s parents moved to Tewantin, Queensland.

On 31 January 1916, Private Herbert F. Robinson of 25 Battalion boarded the HMAT “Wandilla” at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to serve his King and country. At Moasoar, Egypt, Herbert was transferred to 2 Pnr. Bn. (Pioneer Battalion) on 11 March 1916. He left Alexandria, Egypt on 19 March and proceeded to join the B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) in France. He arrived at Marseilles on 26 March. In mid-July, Herbert was admitted to 5 A.F.A. (Aust. Field Ambulance) with a sprained ankle. He was transferred and admitted to 1 N.Z.S.H. (New Zealand Stationary Hospital) a couple of days later. On 22 July, Herbert was transferred and admitted to 18 Gen. Hosp. (General Hospital) and was discharged to duty on 26 July, when he marched in to 2 A.D.B.D. (Aust. Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France.

Herbert left 2 A.D.B.D. on 21 August 1916 and rejoined his unit on 25 August in the field. On 12 February 1917, Herbert was promoted to L/Cpl. (Lance Corporal). On 03 May 1917, he was wounded in action when he suffered a gunshot wound to his right hand. He was admitted to 11 A.S.H. (Aust. Stationary Hospital) at Rouen, France the following day. He was then admitted to 2 Con. Dep. (Convalescent Depot) on 09 May. In mid-May, Herbert was transferred to 11 Con. Dep. where he remained until 01 June, when he was classified A and sent to 2 A.D.B.D. A week later, Herbert marched in to 39 Gen. Hosp. at Havre, France with V.D. (venereal disease). He was discharged to 2 A.D.B.D. on 23 June, where he was promoted to Acting Corporal with pay of Corporal. Two months later, Herbert reverted to L/Cpl.

Still with 2 A.D.B.D., Herbert was appointed A/E.D.P. Cpl. (Acting Extra Depot Corporal) at Havre on 12 September 1917. He reverted to L/Cpl on 16 October 1917, when he marched out to his unit, rejoining 2 Pnr. Bn. 3 days later. Herbert was granted leave at Paris for a week in January 1918, and was admitted to 10 A.F.A. in February with P.U.O. (pyrexia of unknown origin). The following week, Herbert was transferred to 1 A.C.C.S. (Aust. Casualty Clearing Station) when he was diagnosed with trench fever. On 06 March 1918, Herbert was transferred to 2 C.C.S. for a couple of days before boarding the A.T. (Ambulance Train) for 54 Gen. Hosp. On 10 May 1918, Herbert boarded H.S. “St. Denis” for England. He left the hospital ship the following day and arrived at Whipps Cross War Hospital at Leytonstone, England.

He was transferred to 1 Aux. Hosp. (Auxiliary Hospital) at Harefield on 27 May and was granted 2 weeks leave and reported to 1 C.D. (Command Depot) at Sutton Veny on 12 June 1918. On 20 July 1918, Herbert marched in to O/Seas Tng. Bde. (Overseas Training Brigade) at Longbridge Deverill, Devon. Herbert was charged on 09 August 1918 with overstaying leave from midnight on 06 August 1918 till apprehended by M.P. (Military Police) at Westbury at 7am on 09 August 1918. He was reprimanded by Capt. Lillie, A/CO (Acting Commanding Officer) of O/Seas Tng. Bde. and forfeited 3 days’ pay.

Herbert proceeded overseas to France on 22 September 1918 and rejoined his battalion on 27 September. By the end of December 1918, Herbert was sent to 2 A.D.B.D. where he was promoted to ER/Sgt. (Extra Regimental Sergeant) and was clerk of A.I.F. Education Service. In April 1919, Herbert marched out of France for England. He embarked England aboard HMAT “Mahia” on 04 June 1919 where he was duty librarian for the voyage. Herbert arrived at Australia on 20 July 1919 and was discharged from the A.I.F. on 27 August 1919. His younger brother, Irvine Roland Robinson #2244 also served during WW1.

Herbert returned to working on the railway as a porter at Wyreema, Maryborough and Gympie during 1919-20. He was then a shunter in Ipswich and Bundamba until 1925. On 14 July 1924, Herbert married Agnes Amelia Doran while working at Ispwich. They had 5 children together. From 1925 until 1942, Herbert was a railway guard on the Kingaroy line. In 1942, he became a first-class guard at Shorncliffe and moved his family to Sandgate. Herbert become involved with the Australian Railways Union and was elected to its executive. After joining the Australian Labor Party, he was an active worker in the Nanango and Sandgate branches. He ran in the 1950 state election as a ALP candidate but was unsuccessful in winning a seat. He ran again in 1953 which he won and held the seat of Sandgate until 1957. Herbert Robinson MLA was awarded the 1953 Queens Coronation Medal. After his defeat, Herbert worked as a railway clerk in Brisbane, until his retirement in 1959.

• Egypt
• Western Front

Tewantin District Cenotaph, Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin