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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 542

An H.M.S. Renown casualty's group of ten awarded to Able Seaman G. Robinson, Royal Navy, a Jutland Veteran who saw action at Cape Spartivento and Operation Torch before dying of heart failure in 1943

1914-15 Star (J.25867, G. Robinson, Ord., R.N.); British and Victory Medals (J.25867. G. Robinson. A.B. R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp Palestine 1936-39 (J.25867 G. Robinson. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (J.25867 G. Robinson. A.B. H.M.S. Delhi.), sold together with a Condolence slip named in pen, heavy polishing and contact wear to Great War trio and last, overall very fine (10)

George Robinson was born at Leeds on 30 July 1897 and joined the Royal Navy as Boy Class II on 30 July 1913. He joined the Battleship Erin in August 1914 while she was stationed with the 4th Battle Squadron and was advanced Ordinary Seaman on 11 February 1915.

He was still serving in this role during the Battle of Jutland which Erin entered at the head of the 2nd Battle Squadron. Unfortunately, she was unable to open fire as at the critical moment Orion strayed from formation and across her gunsights.

Robinson served with her for the duration of the war, going ashore in 1919 before being posted to Revenge the next year. He was still with her during the response to the Great Smyrna Fire in 1922 while she was stationed with the Mediterranean Fleet. Leaving her in 1924 he continued to serve, spending increasingly long stints with the shore base Defiance until he was pensioned in 1937.

Returning to service on the outbreak of the Second World War as Able Seaman (Pensioner) in 1939 he was posted to the Battlecruiser Renown on 29 February 1939. She was posted to Force H and sank the blockade runner SS Watussi in December 1939 before being ordered to Gibraltar.

Joining the British forces attempting to resupply Malta Renown was involved in the Battle of Cape Spartivento on 27 November 1940. During this engagement she managed to straddle the cruiser Trieste with several salvoes showering her with splinters but missing a critical hit. She later escorted the British forces taking part in Operation Torch but did not have the opportunity to engage during the fighting.

Returning to Britian for a refit in early 1943 Renown was laid up in the docks for several months. Robinson died of heart failure on 31 March 1943 and is buried at Leeds (Harehills) Cemetery; sold together with copied service papers and Commonwealth War Graves Certificate.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£210