Thomas Sawyer William Robinson was born on 25 October 1906 the second of the nine children of John Sawyer William Robinson (1882-1948) and Lilian Kate Robinson née Merrick (1884-1951). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1906 in the Islington Registration District, London. On 28 November 1906 he was baptised at St Mark's Church, Tollington Park, London, where the baptismal register confirms his date of birth and that his family were living at 27 Cottenham Road, London, N19 (later renamed Sussex Way). His father was shown as a Tiler.
His eight siblings were: John Henry Robinson (1904-1916); Frank Robinson (1908-1908); Louisa Ann Robinson (1909-1993); George A. Robinson (b.1911); Sidney A. Robinson (1920-1922); Frederick Charles Robinson (1922-1992); Albert Joseph Robinson (1924-1997) and Doreen L. Robinson (1926-1926).
In the 1911 census he is shown as aged 4 years, living in 2 rooms at 87 Kingsdown Road, Upper Holloway, Islington, London, with his parents and two siblings: John Henry Robinson and Louisa Ann Robinson. His father described himself as a 'tesslated tiler'.
In the 1936 electoral registers he is listed at 1 Pine Grove, London, N4, with his parents.
He enlisted in the Royal Artillery, service number 1100921 and was serving in their 56th Heavy Field Regiment in North Africa when he was captured and became a prisoner of war. He was transported to Germany and was killed, aged 38 years, on 20 February 1945 when attempting to escape from a prisoner of war camp. His body was originally interred in Plot A, Grave 567 in Stadt-Friedhof, Konnern, Germany, but on 27 June 1947 he was exhumed and in the British 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Heerstrasse 151, 14055 Berlin, Germany.
Probate records show that his address had been 11 Everleigh Street, Finsbury Park, London, N4 and that when probate was granted to his mother on 18 May 1945 his effects totalled £139-8s-10d.
He is shown as 'Gnr. T. S. W. Robinson' on the London Troops memorial plaque in Vicarage Gardens, Putney Bridge Approach, London, SW15. He is also commemorated on the .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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