Horace Robinson
Date of birth: 1911
Date of death: 13.6.1943
Area: Knottingley
Regiment: Parachute
Family information: Husband of Irene nee Harding
Rank: Private
Service number: 4624867
War Service
Private Horace Robinson was in the 8th Battalion Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps when he died on 13th June 1943 age 31.
He enlisted into the South Staffordshire Regiment. He then volunteered for airborne services in 1943, and attended parachute course no. 53 at RAF Ringway (1-14th March 1943). He was posted to 8th (Midland) Parachute Regiment [8th Para Bn]. On 13th June 1943, on training exercise ‘Bluebell’, he jumped over the Firth of Tay in Scotland. Diaries record that 8 men jumped and landed in the river, and only RSM Parsons got ashore, with no trace of the others, presumed drowned.
Back at Bulford a message was received that on 25th June a Norwegian minesweeper had picked up his body one mile inside West Ferry Signal Station, Firth of Tay, and his body was handed over to the Dundee police. His next of kin were informed. Three more bodies were recovered over the following days.
His death was recorded in County Angus Scotland and Horace was buried on 29th June 1943 at Knottingley Cemetery. The service was conducted by John E Meakin.
His gravestone in Knottingley Cemetery reads: 4624867 Private / H Robinson / Parachute Regiment / Air Army Corps / 13th June 1943 age 31 / Tis not good-bye beloved / Tis only just farewell / A little while, a moment / We too with Christ will dwell.
Family Life
Horace Robinson was born in the fourth quarter of 1911 and his birth was registered at Dewsbury. He was the son of John William Robinson and Alice Ann (nee Thornton) who had married in the first quarter of 1908 and this was also registered at Dewsbury.
In the first quarter of 1933, registered at Pontefract, Horace Robinson married Irene Harding.
