Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Private G T Robinson of the 2/6 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers passed through Peterborough East Station on 18 July 1916, and although it has not been possible to verify his signature, we believe he is George Thomas Robinson, service number 47125.

George was born in 1896, in Little Bowden, Market Harborough, the son of Thomas R and Mary A Robinson. The 1901 census, records the family living at Harborough Road, Lubenham, Leicsetershire,  William Robinson (29) an engine driver/electrician, Mary (30), George (4) and Leonard (3). The 1911 census records the family at The Lodge, Lubenham, Market Harborough, his father Thomas is a domestic electrician, George, a carpenter and William an office boy.

On enlistment George joined the Army Ordnance Corps, later transferring to the Lancashire Fusiliers.

The 2/6 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers was formed at Mossborough on 29 September 1914 as a home service unit.  On 8 February 1915, the battalion was attached to the 197^th Brigade, 66^th (2^nd East Lancashire) Division, the battalion  moved to Crowborough in May 1915, to Tunbridge Wells in October 1915 and Colchester in March 1916, which was where George was stationed when he found himself in Peterborough, possibly on his way to or from his home in Market Harborough.  The battalion landed at Le Havre on 26 February 1917.  George was reported killed in action on 2 December 1917, aged 21.  http://www.1914-1918.net/lancsfus.htm

He is buried and commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen, Belgium and commemorated on the Market Harborough War Memorial and Cottage Hospital War Memorial, Market Harborough.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about George.