Pte. Charles Robinson, of the Australian Imperial Force (son of Mr. Edward Robinson, of 42 Winchester-road, Rushden, an employee of Messrs. Harris Bros., curriers, Rushden), is now a prisoner of war in Germany. Before Emigrating to Australia, Mr. Robinson worked for Messrs. John Cave & Sons Ltd., boot manufacturers, Rushden. A fine athlete, he was drill instructor to the Rushden Boy Scouts, was a member of the Rushden Athletic Club, and was connected with the Rugby Football Club, which existed at Rushden for a brief period some years ago. At one time he was in the Coldstream Guards, and when the present war broke out he was a reservist in Australia, but, as he had only a couple of months to run before he was time-expired, he was not sent out. Last November he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, and came over to England, being sent to France on January 15th of this year. The last letter his friends had from him was on Easter Sunday, and, as they could get no further news, they wrote to the Australian Record Office, in London, a reply being received to the effect that he was reported missing in Frances since April 11th. Next morning his parents were delighted to get from him aletter stating that he is a prisoner of war in Germany. He has a wife and four children in Australia.
Mr. Albert Robinson, of Birmingham, a brother of Pte Charles Robinson, is an old soldier. For 12½ years he served in the Bedfordshire Regt., and went through the Chitral campaign and other action, for which he received two medals with five bars. He had been out of the Service eight years when the present war broke out, and at once enlisted in the Worcestershire Regt. He went to France in April 1915, and saw a great deal of fighting. Unfortunately he was badly gassed, and in May 1916, was discharged from the Army.
Another brother, George, in Australia, who at one time was well known in Rushden, was medically rejected on seeking to enlist. Scoutmaster C. Cox, of Rushden, is an uncle of these men.
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