Harry Robinson

Private Harry Robinson – Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1^st Battalion

Early Life

Henry Robinson and Sophia Pennell
marriage certificate
St. Mary’s Church

Harry Robinson was born in 1893 in Swansea, one of the earliest young men from Sketty to lose his life in the First World War. He was the son of Henry Robinson and Sophia Pennell, who were married in 1887 at St. Mary’s Church, Swansea.

Family

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records the Robinson family living at 11 De La Beche Street, Swansea. Henry Robinson (41) was employed as a Piano Turner, and Sophia (42) managed the household. Their children at the time were Sophia (13), Stanford (11), Dorothy (10), Elsie (9), Harry (8), and Robert (6) — all attending school — along with the younger children John (2) and William (8 months).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 12 Edgware Road, Swansea. Henry (51) continued his trade as a Pianoforte Tuner, while Sophia (52) kept the home. Their eldest daughter Sophia (23) worked as a Dressmaker; Stanford James (21) was a Marine Cook; Dorothy Kate (20) and Elsie (19) assisted their mother at home; Harry (18) was employed as a Shop Assistant; and Robert Lowden (16) worked as a Baker. The younger children — John (12), William (10), and Mary Anne (7) — were still at school.

Military Service

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Harry enlisted to serve in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1^st Battalion, as a Private. The battalion was part of the 7^th Brigade, 3^rd Division, one of the first British units to arrive on the Western Front in August 1914. The 1st Battalion took part in the early campaigns of the war, including the Battles of Mons, the Marne, the Aisne, and Ypres, before settling into the grim routine of trench warfare as winter approached.

By December 1914, the 1^st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was holding front-line positions near Wimereux, in northern France. The men faced freezing weather, waterlogged trenches, and constant enemy shellfire and sniper attacks. Although no major battle was taking place at that time, conditions were extremely harsh. The battalion’s duties involved manning and repairing the trenches, standing sentry, patrolling no man’s land, and enduring the daily dangers of life at the front.

Death

Private Harry Robinson was killed in action on 2^nd December 1914, aged 21, during this difficult winter period of the war. While the official record does not specify the exact circumstances of his death, it likely occurred during trench-holding operations near Wimereux, where sporadic shelling and sniper fire claimed many lives. His death came only four months after the British Expeditionary Force first went into action — making him one of the earliest casualties from the Sketty area.

Burial

Harry is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, near Boulogne, France. The cemetery was used by field hospitals and casualty clearing stations, suggesting that he may have died of wounds sustained in action.

Legacy

Private Harry Robinson is remembered as one of the earliest fallen sons of Sketty. His name is proudly inscribed on the St. Paul’s Church War Memorial, honouring his sacrifice alongside those of his comrades from the local community. Through family records, church memorials, and local remembrance, his story endures as a reminder of the bravery, hardship, and loss experienced by those who served in the Great War.