Driver Joseph Samuel Robinson
| Date of Birth | 4th Jan 1898 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 18 |
| Date of Death | 2 June 1916 |
| Service Number | 38564 |
| Military Service | Royal Field Artillery |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Morden Cemetery |
Additional Information
Joseph Samuel Robinson was born to parents Joseph who worked as a fitter and Charlotte (nee May). His parents had married at St. John the Evangelist in Lambeth on 29th August 1890 and set up home at 3 Newport Street where they lived for over ten years.
By the time Joseph was born on 4th January 1898 the couple already had three children: Ada, Frederick and Harriett. Several more children followed Joseph's birth. (John in 1900, Thomas in 1902 and Mary in 1905.) All the children were baptised at their local church, St. Mary the Less in Black Prince Road, Lambeth.
Joseph and his three younger siblings all attended Sleaford Street School which was very close to their home. (Joseph was enrolled in 1902 aged 4.)
By 1911 Joseph's father aged 50 was now working as a General Labourer and the family were living at 40 Currie Street, Nine Elms Lane Battersea. The two eldest girls were both working: Ada aged 19 as a paper bag maker and Harriett 17 as a servant. The family occupied 4 rooms and shared the property with another family. Of eight children born to the couple over their 22 years of marriage two children had died.
Joseph's father died in September 1914 aged 53.
Joseph enlisted on 13th July 1915 in Camberwell, as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery and was given the service number 38564. He stated his age as 19 years and 6 months. In fact he was two years younger and not eligible to enlist. He stated his occupation as being a General Labourer. He was described as being 5ft 4 ½ tall, with fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.
The RFA was formed in 1899 and disbanded in 1924. It was divided into Garrison and Field Artillery. The Field Artillery was then divided into: Horse Batteries, Field batteries 1-103 and Mountain Batteries. Their headquarters was based in Woolwich. Joseph was part of the 38th (reserve) Battery.
After spending two months in the London General Hospital, Joseph was discharged on 8th May 1916, as no longer physically fit for war service. Suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis his war records stated his condition was aggravated by exposure on ordinary military service and he was classed as being totally incapacitated of earning a livelihood.
Joseph died a month later on 2nd June 1916 aged 18 and buried on 10th June in Morden Cemetery, Garth Road. His name also appears on a stone memorial in the churchyard.