Jun 27, 1894

Born in Bancroft, Ontario to John and Sarah Ann (nee Keller) Robbins

Aug 7, 1912

Married to Julia Ann Reid at her residence in Peterborough County, Ontario

Feb 5, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion CEF in Coe Hill, Ontario

 Ø  Number 636765

Ø  Next of kin given as Annie Robbins, wife, Coe Hill, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Jun 17, 1916

Sentenced to 5 days CB (Confined to Barracks) for an unspecified offence

Jul 14, 1916

Attended the Barriefield Camp Dental Clinic for treatment

Sep 1, 1916

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 18, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Dec 5, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request in order to proceed to the front

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 147 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Dec 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Robbins joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Bully Grenay

Jan 22, 1917

Attached to the Composite Company for duty

Feb 23, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the Composite Company

May 30, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Myalgia in his back and legs

 
Transferred the same day to the No. 5 CFA, then on to the No. 1 CFA

Jun 3, 1917

Discharged from the field ambulance and rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in the Coupigny Huts, near Hersin, France

Aug 15, 1917

The 21^st Battalion was part of the attack on Hill 70, near Lens, France.  The fighting was fierce, and often involved hand to hand combat.  Following the capture of the high ground, the German army mounted 21 counter attacks in an attempt to recapture the hill.  Private Robbins was killed during the fighting and his identifiable body was never recovered from the battlefield.  As a result, his name is honoured on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed during the war and have no known grave.

 
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny shown below), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Julia Robbins, St. Ola, Ontario.

 
A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Sarah Ann Robbins, Bancroft, Ontario

 
The medals, Plaque and Memorial Cross that had been sent to his widow were returned as she had subsequently passed away.

 
The medals, plaque and Memorial Cross originally sent to his widow were resent to his son, Cecil F. Robbins, c/o Mr. T.D. Ruston (Guardian), Children’s Aid Society, 28 Cedar St., Belleville, Ontario

Plaque photo courtesy of The Highland Shores Children’s Aid, Belleville, Ontario

Dec 28, 1917

His widow, Julia, remarried to John Robert Cooney in Hastings County, Ontario

Oct 29, 1918

His widow, Julia, died of Pneumonia in Bancroft, Ontario

Ernest Robbins is honoured on the Bancroft, Ontario War Memorial

He is also honoured on the War Memorial at the Coe Hill Legion (above) and on a
memorial in the Anglican Cemetery (below).

He is also honoured on a plaque in the Bancroft Legion