Private Hugh Hay Robinson

Hugh Hay Robinson was born in Tasmania on 3 May 1884, to parents Hugh and Catherine née Hoare. His mother had been widowed twice before she married his father on 15 December 1883, Thus he had two half sisters, Theresa Ann Elliott and Mary Anne McMahon, and three half brothers, John McMahon, William James Elliott and Henry Elliott. He also had two full sisters, Margaret Euphemia and Kate. His father, Hugh, as well as Theresa and Mary, died between 1910 and 1913.

Robinson was working as a labourer when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 17 August 1915. He embarked at Melbourne with the 11th reinforcements of the 15th Battalion on 27 October 1915, aboard HMAT Ulysses. He was also a snare drummer in the 15th Battalion Band. While he was overseas, Robinson’s mother died at Launceston on 14 July 1917. He returned to Australia aboard HMAT Beltana on 2 June 1919. After the war, he returned to Launceston, Tasmania, and married Lily May née McEwan. Lily died in June 1950. Hugh Robinson died on 24 July 1952. He was survived by his sisters Maggie and Kate, and step-daughter Nellie.