THE GREATER WIGSTON
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Greater Wigston Historical Society would like to raise funds to provide a headstone for a very gallant Boer War & World War 1 soldier who does not have a headstone. We have set up a "gofundme "page where you can donate to this worthy cause. The contact link is at the bottom and top of the page.
In the Wigston Cemetery, in plot M158, is buried Alfred John Robbins. He was a Boer War and First World War veteran.
Alfred was born on 4th August 1877 the son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Robbins (nee Ward, born Wigston).
He attested for 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment No. 5979 10/8/1896 aged 18, living at the time in 24 Cardinal Street, Leicester.
He attested as Private, Leicestershire Regiment No. 4778 23I9I1896 at Leicester, Occupation dyer, age 18 , height 5ft 4ins, Eyes blue, Skin fresh , Hair brown, Church of England.
Service
10/8/1896 served 49 days with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment No. 5979.
23I9I1896 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment No. 4778.
Served in South Africa and India - 18 years’ service before World War 1.
Medals
Alfred was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with Belfast, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith and Laing's Nek clasp and the Kings South Africa Medal with 1901 and 1902 clasps.
World War 1
Leicestershire Regiment No. 12427.
Nottingham and Derby Regiment No. 29046.
Nottingham and Derby Regiment No. 29043.
World War 1 1915 Star , British Medal and Victory Medal.
All his medals, including South Africa, are in the Newarke Houses Museum in Leicester.
3/4/1915 Leicester Chronicle Newspaper
Wounded Leicester Man
Pte A. J. Robbins of the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel in the recent engagement at Neuve Chapelle. Pte Robbins has done twelve years’ service, and served though the South African campaign, taking part in the operations at Ladysmith. He was unmarried and rejoined on the outbreak of the present war. His mother lives at 3 Woodhouse Street, Belgrave Road, Leicester.
Census
1881, 3 Court A, Friday Street , Leicester.
1911, 10 Olphin Street , Belgrave , Leicester.
1921, 20 Hampden Street, Leicester, 43, Ink and stain mixer for Gimson Shoes , Vulcan Road, Leicester. Living with his mother Sarah Ann, 69, born in Wigston, Leicester.
25/10/1954 Leicester Evening Mail Newspaper
Forgotten Army
Membership of the original Forgotten Army is dwindling. The Leicestershire and Rutland branch of the South African Veterans Association has been reduced to just over 50 Members, with an average age of 76. On Thursday night Mr. A. J. Robbins, himself 76, is hoping to see a record attendance of old campaigners, whether members of the association or not. This month you see is especially full of memories for the veterans - memories of the Dundee Column March and the battle of Talana Hill.
It was 55 years ago last week, Mr. Robbins reminds me, when the soldiers of the Leicestershire Regiment in South Africa were joined by artillery and rifles at Dundee, Natal. There the column of 4,000 faced 20,000 Boers and the morning of October 20 and won the day at Talana Hill.
Next day though, Mr. Robbins said they drove us out of camp with their Long Toms and our field artillery could not reach them.
Then began a long trek back to Ladysmith and a six-day running fight without sufficient sleep. On the 26th the troops arrived at Ladysmith plastered with mud, sodden with rain, dog tired, but still in the best of spirits.
For the last four days the Dundee Column had had no proper food, and the final march had been over 32 miles of heavy ground and torrential rainstorm.
Alfred John Robbins died on 18/9/1957 at 19 Elizabeth Clarke Alms Houses, Long Street, Wigston Magna, aged 80. The Funeral Service was at All Saints Church Wigston Magna. He was buried with Military Honours at Wigston Magna Cemetery.
Buried 20/ 9 I 1957 Wigston Cemetery, Plot No. M158, with Military Honours.
20 /9I1957 Leicester Evening Mail Newspaper
DEATH OF WAR VETERAN
Mr. Alfred Robbins, secretary of the Leicestershire and Rutland branch of the South African war Veterans Association, who served at the siege of Ladysmith during the Boer War, has died at his home. 19 Long Street. He was 80. Mr. Robbins, a bachelor, joined the Royal Leicestershire Regiment when he was 18 and completed about 18 years’ service.
He fought throughout the South African War with the Ist Battalion. In the First World War he served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions and was wounded. For over 30 years, Mr. Robbins lived in a small, terraced house in Hampden Street , Leicester, but in 1953, thanks to the assistance of the Royal Leicestershire Regimental Old Comrades Association, he moved to his attractive cottage at Wigston Magna.
Mr. Robbins’ funeral was at All Saints Church Wigston Magna. He was buried with Military Honours.
GOFUNDME PAGE FOR DONATIONS
Click on the link to donate:
FUNDING PROJECT FOR BOER WAR VETERAN HEADSTONE