Fermanagh war hero Captain Robert Robinson passes away, aged 99

Described as an admirable and courageous leader during his military career, Robert was also a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who always put others before himself.

The late Robert Robinson.

Late of Bramhall, Cheshire, formerly of Co. Fermanagh, Robert passed away on Wednesday, November 2. Born in March 1923, Robert was the fourth of eight children that grew up on a very small croft at Tully near Churchill, Co. Fermanagh.

“He was very good with a gun from quite an early age and he used to go out at night to help supplement the family table by doing a little bit of game shooting,” said his daughter Carolyn, adding: “We always joke about the fact that this field craft that he learned as a teenager, served him well when he finally joined up to fight in the war.”

When World War II broke out in 1939, Carolyn explained that her father was desperate to join the war effort, so the following August, in 1940, Robert joined the army at the age of 17.

“He told his sister one day that he was getting the bus to Enniskillen and if he wasn’t on the evening bus home, it meant he’d joined up. And that’s exactly what he did, he told the recruiting sergeant that he was 18 and he passed whatever other tests he needed and joined up,” said Carolyn.

In 1941, Robert transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Showing good leadership skills, he was quickly promoted to Corporal and began active service in North Africa. “He fought in Tunisia, then Sicily and Italy. He was involved in the Battle of Monte Cassino and ended up in the northern Italian area when the war was declared over.

“He joked that he was sitting on the Po when the war ended,” said Carolyn with a laugh, noting that her father was on the banks of the river Po in northern Italy when World War II came to an end.

At the age of 22, Robert ended the war as a warrant officer and had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his gallantry efforts. The DCM is second only to the Victoria Cross.The DCM citation highlighted Robert’s leadership and courage which was a “constant inspiration to his men” as he commanded a platoon in action.

Outlining how he played a conspicuous part in the capture of a feature in the Fontanelice area of Italy, the citation explained that despite suffering from injuries incurred during the battle, Robert fought on bravely.

“He personally assisted in carrying other wounded men back and returned with valuable information,” the citation read, noting that his conduct throughout was “most gallant and a source of praise amongst his men”.

“His admirable leadership in this action is only equalled by similar conduct in the past.”

On July 12, 1949, accompanied by his brother Tommy and sister Millie, Robert attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace in London where he was presented with the medal by King George VI.

Robert Robinson at Buckingham Palace after receiving his Distinguished Combat Medal (DCM) from King George. He was accompanied by his youngest sister Millie.

“Having started as a very young, very green about the gills, Irish teenager, he ended the war still only aged 22 having risen through the non-commissioned ranks, pretty much as far as he could get without having to do some more educational qualifications, and highly decorated,” said Carolyn, speaking proudly of her late father.

At the end of the war, Robert continued a career in the military. He completed his qualifications and became a regimental Sergeant Major and subsequently commissioned.

He stayed in the army for 26 years and eventually left as a captain. Carolyn explained that her father decided to leave the army to pursue a more settled life for his family.

“Despite the fact that my dad loved the army, he left it for us. I think the first two years for him were really tough because it was a huge change but he eventually settled into [his new role as a production manager at a firm] and was very good at it,” she said, adding that she was always aware of the big sacrifice her father made for their family.

Prior to his passing, Robert celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary with his wife Hilda, surrounded by his children Carolyn and Richard and extended family.

“Dad and mum had a great partnership and a long and happy marriage,” said Carolyn, describing her late father as a loving family man, who was besotted with his grandchildren and great grand daughter.

Robert’s funeral will take place in Bramhall, Cheshire on Friday, November 25.