Henry Howey Robson

Twice wounded, he tried to bring another man into safe cover

Henry Howey Robson grew up in South Shields in a large working family. His father was a miner, and Robson followed him into colliery work after attending Mortimer Road Council School. He enlisted in the Royal Scots in September 1912 and went to France with the 2nd Battalion in August 1914.

On 14 December 1914, during fighting near Petit Bois in Belgium, Robson left his trench under heavy fire to rescue a wounded noncommissioned officer. He then went out again to reach a second casualty. Although wounded almost immediately, he continued trying to bring the man in until another wound made further effort impossible. His Victoria Cross recognized the persistence of the rescue attempts as well as his exposure to fire.

Evacuated to Britain, he received the cross from George V at Buckingham Palace in July 1915. South Shields celebrated his return and granted him the freedom of the borough. He eventually returned to France, but another wound during the Somme fighting in November 1916 ended his front-line service. Later employment in the Labour Corps preceded his return to civilian life.

Robson worked in shipyards, municipal employment and aboard merchant tankers. In 1923 he emigrated to Canada, financing the journey by selling his Victoria Cross. He found work with Toronto’s streetcar system and married Alice Maude Martin in 1924. They raised a family in Canada.

He joined the staff of the Ontario Legislature in 1934, serving as sergeant-at-arms and later guiding visitors as an information clerk. His ceremonial duties brought him into contact with the royal family. He returned to Britain for the 1953 Coronation and 1956 Victoria Cross centenary. The cross was lent back to him for the latter occasion. He died at Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, on 4 March 1964 and was buried at York Cemetery. His daughter later presented his medals to the Royal Scots museum collection.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery near Kemmel on the 14th December, 1914, during an attack on the German position, when he left his trench under a very heavy fire and rescued a wounded 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 efforts until rendered helpless by being shot a second time.

Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 16 February 1915. 18 February 1915, Numb. 29074, p. 1700