Robinson, William Edwin (1884 - 1916)

Captain, 16th Bn. Highland Light Infantry

Buried at Thiepval Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Educated at Hillhead High School and Allan Glen's School, Captain Robinson, in life and in death, did honour to both schools. His was indeed a life of service from start to finish. He was one of the pioneers in the Scout movement, and until he joined the Army acted as scoutmaster of the St. Mary's troop, one of the most efficient bodies of Boy Scouts in the country. There was something almost of idolatry in the admiration of his boys for him, due, no doubt, to the fact that he had got a look far "ben" into boy feelings and boy aspirations. At least eight of them followed their chief into the Army, and now hold commissions.

He was also an enthusiastic Volunteer and Territorial, holding the rank of colour-sergeant in the old 1st Lanark Volunteers, and subsequently in the 5th Scottish Rifles.

When war broke out Captain Robinson was on the commercial staff of the Glasgow Herald. On the formation of the Glasgow battalions he was offered a captaincy in the 16th (Boys' Brigade) Battalion, and there he gained the confidence and affection of his men as naturally and as inevitably as formerly of his boys.

He went to the Front in November, 1915, and when home on a short visit afterwards was in his usual high spirits. He saw much fierce fighting, but came through safely till the 18th November, 1916, when he fell in action. The last authentic glimpse that we get of him is from a fellow-officer, who reports seeing him in the midst of a small party of men surrounded by Germans, but disdaining surrender, and fighting desperately till the last. In recording the death of men like Captain Robinson there is an overpowering sense of irreparable loss and waste. Doubtless it is not so. Let us keep high our faith in the wise ordering of our lives even in these terrible days. Captain
Robinson was only thirty-two, but what "a crowded hour of glorious life" was his.

Memorials: Captain Robinson's body was never found and he is remembered at Thiepval Memorial; Thornliebank Parish Church, Scout Association Memorial (www.scoutsrecords.org/catalogue.php), the City of Glasgow Roll of Honour and the Scottish National War Memorial.