Robinson, Samuel
Rifleman
No. 18699, 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916 (aged 23)
Buried:
Ancre British Cemetery, France (Grave II. F. 6)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BIOGRAPHY
The death of Rifleman Samuel Robinson (No. 18699) was reported in the 29 July 1916 edition of the Newtownards Chronicle under the headline Donaghadee and it was stated that he had been living in the townland of Ballyvester, Donaghadee.
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Samuel Robinson was born in the townland of Ballyduff in County Antrim, lived in Carnmoney and enlisted in Mossley.
In the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website it is recorded that Rifleman Samuel Robinson was a son of Robert and Annie Robinson of Carnmoney, Co Antrim.
There is a townland called Ballyvesey in that part of County Antrim and it appears that Rifleman Samuel Robinson (No. 18699) had a connection with that place, rather than with Ballyvester in County Down.
Samuel Robinson was born 17 January 1893 at Ballyduff, and he was a son of Robert and Annie Robinson (nee Douglas) who were married on 14 May 1886 in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Church, Jordanstown. Robert Robinson (aged 25), a carter from Cloughfern was a son of Samuel Robinson, a carter. Annie Douglas (aged 22), a servant from Cloughfern was a daughter of John Douglas, a flax scutcher.
Robert Robinson worked as a general labourer and he and Annie had nine children including:
Matilda Powell (born 16 May 1886 at 15 Brown Street, Belfast)
Mary Jane (born 22 January 1888)
Elizabeth (born 16 February 1890)
Samuel (born 17 January 1893 at Ballyduff)
Maria (born 8 June 1895)
Robert (born 28 June 1897)
John (born 12 December 1899 at Ballyduff)
Stafford (born 21 August 1905)
Their father, Robert Robinson, a labourer, died of bulbar paralysis (palsy) at Ballyduff on 28 August 1918 (aged 49).
Rifleman Samuel Robinson (No. 18699) served with the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and he went to France on 6 October 1915. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and was buried in Ancre British Cemetery, France. There is an inscription on his CWGC headstone, and the family point of contact was Mrs A. Robinson, Carnmoney, Co Antrim:
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS
THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS
Her address also appears in Army papers as Soldiers Cottage, Ballyduff, Carnmoney.