Harrogate Herald - 31st January 1917

Roll of Honour

We regret to hear of the death of Private James Robinson, who was killed on action on the 11th January while discharging the duties of sentry at a difficult and trying post, laying down his life as nobly as any soldier could. He was a native of Knaresborough and was employed by Arthur Taylor, greengrocer, Knaresborough, for twelve years before going out to Canada, where he voluntarily enlisted. He leaves a widow and three children, who reside at 9 Hampden Terrace, York Road, Tadcaster.

Roll of Honour

Mrs J Henry, Briggate, Knaresborough, has received intimation that her brother, Private James Robinson, of the Canadian Infantry, has been killed. The Lieutenant of his regiment states that he was shot whilst coming off sentry. Private Robinson was the son of John Robinson, of Meadley Square, and before migrating to Canada was ten years in the employ of Arthur Taylor, fruiterer, of High Street. He was in his 33rd year, and leaves a wife and three children.

Harrogate Herald - 8th August 1917

Private James Robinson, of 8 Mafeking Street, Harrogate, who is in the Royal Engineers, was wounded on the 19th July in France, and is now in the 1st Scottish General Hospital, Aberdeen. In a letter to his wife he says : I had a narrow squeak or two, but got off lucky. Our officer was killed on the Monday night, and we were working just outside Ypres, when I got hit on Wednesday morning. The man next to me was killed, and other two and I were wounded, so you see I have something to be thankful for, and I call myself lucky. I have seen a good bit of France and Belgium, and am glad what I have seen as not happened in England. I got hit in nine places, four in the leg, three in the arm, and two in the head.

He is going on fine, and jocularly adds : You always knew I had a thick head.

Harrogate Herald- 24th October 1917

W H Breare letter

Lance Corporal A H Robinson, fresh from the ridge, arrived on Tuesday and called to see me. It is 18 months since he last sat in my room, then straight from the Front. His brother James Robinson was with him on the former occasion, but, alas, his chair is vacant, for he was killed on the Somme, September 28th. My visitor has been wounded, but has gone scot free since. He is a son of Mr & Mrs William Robinson, whose home is 41 Regent Avenue, and one of the Herald staff. Robinson brought me unwelcome news that William Rowling had been wounded again, this time in the last push. He also brought me a letter Rowling sent his mother, written from No. 11 Ward, Queen's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent. Glad to see he is not dangerously wounded, but it will be some time before he recovers, for the bullet went through his chin, happily sparing the tongue.