Jun 20, 1881

Born at Bannockburn Ontario to Joseph and Juliana (nee Parks) Robbins

Jun 7, 1901

His mother died at Madoc Ontario

Jul 25, 1904

Married to Nora Elizabeth Reid at Madoc Ontario

Mar 31, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion at Bancroft Ontario 

Ø      Number 636985

Ø      Next of kin given as Joseph Robbins, father, of Bannockburn Ontario

o       There is a notation in the file to also notify his wife in Bancroft

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Ø      He signed his Declaration with an “x” and signed by a witness as it being the mark of Pte Robbins 

The Battalion trained at the Barriefield Camp, Kingston

Jun 7, 1916

Admitted to the Military Hospital at Barriefield diagnosed with Piles

Jun 8, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jul 27, 1916

His father died at Madoc Ontario

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland at Halifax Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Bramshott Camp

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

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

Dec 7, 1916

Left the CBD to join the Battalion

Dec 8, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in billets at Bully Grenay carrying out training exercises.  He was assigned to No 13 Platoon of “D” Company

Apr 13, 1917

Following the attack that took Vimy Ridge, Pte Robbins was part of a patrol that was detailed to take the railway station in the town of Vimy.  During that action he was wounded and taken first to a Field Ambulance, then to No 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) 

Below is from the 21^st Battalion War Diary

Apr 15, 1917

Pte Robbins died of his wounds at the No 22 CCS

Bruay Communal Cemetery
Bruay France 

Post war, the following were sent to his wife: 

British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll and the Memorial Cross

Aug 29, 1917

Pte Robbins widow Nora, remarried to William Archie Hayes at Coe Hill Ontario just 3 months after being notified of her husband’s death.  Interestingly, William Hayes was called up under the MSA (Military Service Act) and had a medical exam in Kingston February 27, 1918.  Following that exam where he was declared fit for service in Canada only, he was declared to be a Defaulter.