Newspaper

Auckland Chronicle – 29 July 1915

PTE. ROBSON. V.C

Presentation at Shotton Colliery

An interesting function took place on Saturday, when a presentation was made to Private Robson, V.C., who before enlisting worked as a putter at Shotton Colliery Pit. His parents are still living in Victoria St, Shotton. Private Robson arrived at Shotton Bridge Station by the 3.15 train, where he was met by the band of the 5th DLI, under Major Plant, assisted by the Shotton Colliery band. Pte Robson was accompanied by his parents to a motor car kindly lent for the occasion by Mr W.W. Carr, C.C. With the bands leading, the motor proceeded slowly through the streets of the village. Crowds of people lined the roads and footpaths, and cheer upon cheer greeted the brave soldier. The procession finished at the Theatre Royal, kindly lent by Mr Crowe, and here the presentation of a gold watch and chain, suitably inscribed, and a purse of gold, subscribed for by the residents of Shotton and district, were made.

Mr T. Lamb, chairman of the committee, after a few remarks, called upon Mr Hartley, manager of the colliery, to make the presentation. Mr Hartley said he had great pleasure in doing so, especially as he was the manager of the pit in which the hero had commenced work. He said he had no doubt that the money would be put to a suitable use. He also remarked on the number of young and married men of Shotton Colliery who are now serving their country on land and sea.

Mr W. W. Carr, C.C., Vice Chairman, endorsed the remarks of Mr Hartley.

Major Plant, of the 5th DLI, gave a descriptive account of the good work done in the trenches by the 5th Durhams when they relived the Canadians. He called upon any young men who had not yet joined to do so at once. In congratulating Private Robson of the honour which he had attained, Major Plant said he wished he had been a member of the 5th Durhams.

Private Robson, in accepting the gifts, thanked the residents of Shotton and the committee for the great honour they had done him, and said he had only done his duty as a soldier, and would do the same thing over again if the need should arise. He assured the audience that no thought of the Victoria Cross entered his mind when he saw his officers in danger and went out to rescue them. He thought it the duty of all young men to get into the army at once.

Letters of regret as to their absence were read from Mr J. J. Prest, C. C., Colonel Barden, and Mr T. H. Cann.
Votes of thanks were accorded the chairman and committee. The arrangements were carried out by the secretary, Mr James Hardy, assisted by Mesers. Hunter, Dixon, Mason, and Thompson.

The dispatch in which Private Robson was mentioned read as follows: – “Pte Henry Howey Robson (11,340) 2nd Batt., Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). For most conspicuous bravery near Hemmel, on 14 Dec., 1914, during an attack on the German position when he left his trench under a very heavy fire and rescued a non-commissioned officer, and subsequently for making an attempt to bring another wounded man into cover whilst exposed to a severe fire. In this attempt he was at once wounded, but persevered in his attempts until being rendered helpless by being shot a second time.”

Newcastle Journal – 2 September 1915

SOUTH SHIELDS V.C. HERO

FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH FOR PRIVATE H.H.ROBSON.

In accordance with notice, the Mayor (Ald. D. Richardson), at the meeting of the South Shields Town Council, last night, moved that the honorary freedom of the borough be conferred upon Private Henry Howey Robson V.C. “in recognition of his most conspicuous bravery near Kemmel, Belgium, on December 14, 1914”

Private Robson the mayor said, had performed an act of valour which had earned for him the highest military reward within the gift of the King, and as a Shieldsman he was certainly entitled to the distinction which he now proposed should be conferred upon him. The shilling fund which he opened some time ago on behalf of Private Robson the mayor added, now amounted to £73, and it was suggested that the money should be handed over when the freedom of the borough was being presented to him.

Ald Rennoldson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, amidst acclamation, and a committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements.


Edinburgh Evening News – 25 September 1915

SOUTH SHIELDS FREEDOM FOR ROBSON, V.C

Private Henry Robson, V.C., of the 2d Royal Scots, is to be presented with the freedom of his native burgh of South Shields, and with an illuminated address. The ceremony takes place on 6th October. Robson was for some time employed in the pits at Kinneil, and it was from Bo’ness that he enlisted in the 2d Royal Scots three years ago. He won the coveted medal near Kimmel, where he rescued, in the course of a heavy fire, several wounded comrades. Robson is at present stationed in Edinburgh, and has been assisting lately in a recruiting campaign in the East of Scotland.

Shields Daily News – 11 January 1917

SOUTH SHIELDS V.C. HERO WOUNDED

Corporal Henry Howey Robson, V.C., who formally resided at South Shields, has met with an unfortunate accident. During an attack in the dark on the enemy’s trenches he fell over a cliff about fifty feet high, sustaining injuries to his right foot and left hand. He is in hospital.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Wednesday 22 May 1918

Private Henry Howie Robson, V.C., Royal Scots, is in the Nottingham Albert Hall Military Hospital suffering from the effects of an old wound. He earned his V.C for conspicuous bravery at Kemmel as long ago as December, 1914, being mentioned in the same “Gazette” as Sergeant O’Leary and he received the award at the hands of the King in July, 1915, receiving the freedom of his native town of South Shields in December of the same year.

Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham