Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Robinson, a coal miner, born 1854 in Coal Aston, Derbyshire and his wife Annie Robinson, born 1858 in Coal Aston. John Henry, a schoolboy was born in 1874 in Coal Aston, his siblings were, Thomas, a schoolboy, born 1876, George, a schoolboy, born 1877, Sarah, born 1879 and Anne, born 1881, all his siblings were born in Coal Aston, in April 1881 the family home was at 7, Foxs Row, Unstone, Derbyshire. In April 1891 John was employed as a pony driver and was residing in the family home at 53, Johnson Street, Whittington, Derbyshire, together with his father a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a pony driver, George, a driver , Sarah, a schoolgirl, Annie, a schoolgirl and William, a schoolboy, born 1883, in Apperknowle, Derbyshire, Peace, a schoolboy, born 1886 and Joseph, born 1888, the latter two siblings were both born in Whittington and Edwin, born 1890 in Old Whittington, Derbyshire. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home at 79, Sheffield Road, Whittington, residing there was his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, George, a coal miner, Sarah, Annie, a pottery trade jar maker, William, a coal miner, Peace, a coal miner, Joseph, Edwin, Ernest, born 1892, Hannah, born 1897, Wilfred, born 1899 and Henry, born 1901, the latter four siblings were all born in Whittington, John was employed as an iron pipe moulder and was residing in the family home at Lower Somercotes, Derbyshire, together with his wife Hannah Robinson(nee Morley, married in the 4th quarter of 1898 in the Register Office, Erewash, Sandiacre, Derbyshire), born 1877 in Sandiacre, Derbyshire. In April 1911 John was employed as a pipe moulder, and was residing in the family home at 5, Hayes Cottages, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his wife and children, Frances, born 1902 in Sandiacre, Derbyshire and John Henry, born 1911 in Melton Mowbray. John first entered the theatre of war in France on the 4th October 1915, and he died of beri beri whilst aboard the Hospital Ship Tarada, and was subsequently buried at sea. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
On Friday June 30th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. The following casualties were reported in Friday’s list. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. Wounded: Dixon, 13223 Private G. H. (Melton Mowbray). Prisoner of War: Hampshire Regiment. Batts, 2783 Lance-Corpl. W. H. (Oakham, Rutland). Tuesday’s list contained the following:- Wounded: Leicestershire Regiment, Waling, 1945? Private P. (Quorn). Royal Sussex Regiment, Hand, 3145 Lance-Corpl. H. (Melton Mowbray). Wednesday’s list included:- Died: Leicestershire Regiment, Robinson, 16064 Private J. H. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday July 7th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL SOLDIER’S DEATH. A letter from the War Office to Mrs. Robinson, of Asfordby Hill, conveys the information that her husband, Pte. J. H. Robinson, of the Leicesters, has died on a hospital ship. Deceased was wounded in Mesopotamia and was sent to Bombay Hospital. On his recovery he returned to his regiment, but contracted a disease known as beri beri, which proved fatal. Pte. Robinson who had been employed at Holwell Iron Works for ten years, leaves a widow and two children, for whom much sympathy will be felt. An appropriate reference to the deceased was made at Asfordby Church by the Rev. F. A. Gage-Hall before he left the parish for his new sphere of labours.