Thomas Robinson aka (served under the name of) John Robertson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 03/10/2015 - 15:57

First Name:

Thomas

Last Name:

Robinson

Mother's Name:

Rachael Robinson

Father's Name:

George Robinson

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, October 7, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

57th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Mention in Despatches

Date of Death:

Monday, October 15, 1917

Place of Death:

Belgium

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Thomas Robinson (Service No 4576) was born in Victoria around 1893. Thomas enlisted in Melbourne using the name John Robertson. Thomas's true identity was revealed after his death, when his mother provided a statutary declaration in order that he be commemorated under his true name.

When Thomas enlisted, as John Robertson, he stated that he was a single 22 year old labourer. He embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A32 Themistocles with 14th Reinforcements, 7th Battalion on 28th January 1916. The troops arrived in Egypt on 28th February 1916 and Thomas (John) was transferred to 57th Battalion on 1st April 1916. He arrived in France on 24th June 1916 and served on the Western Front.

On 15th February 1917 Thomas was admitted to hospital for treatment of gas poisoning sustained in battle.

Thomas was Mentioned in Despatches on 9th April 1917, which was awarded and promulgated in the London Gazette, on 1 June 1917, and the Commonwealth Gazette on 4 October 1917.

He returned to his unit on 17th May 1917 and was fighting in the battle for Passchendaele, Belgium, when he was killed.

There is no known grave for Thomas. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, ROBERTSON JOHN