Category Archives: Robinson and Holts

George Collis Robinson

Posted on by under George Collis Robinson, Robinson and Holts

In memory of George born 20 August 1896 dying of wounds in Belgium 27 October 1917.

His memory lives on through his family, We Will Remember Them.

A wreath was laid in memory of George’s sacrifice a month ago at Menin Gate 27 September. The person who laid the wreath recited ‘The Ode of Remembrance’ For the Fallen, during the service at Menin Gate, then made the pilgrimage to place flowers on Georges grave at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery – very special & a lovely tribute to the great sacrifice made by George & that of his family & community so far away.

The wreath that was laid was also noticed by a stranger who took the time to read about George and make contact as can be seen in comments at the end of the post ‘George Collis Robinson [Holt]’ Indeed a great many continue to remember our dear George.

Lest We Forget

Road to Remembrance 2018 – more about Dan and George

Posted on by under Robinson and Holts

Taken on 23 October 1916 at Seymour Camp Victoria a group of the 7th Reinforcement of the 4th Machine Gun company, back of PC states consist of mainly Tasmanians. George on the very left with Dan standing behind him,

Looking through Dan’s photos, postcards and letter collection revealed a few more pieces of their journey 1916 and 1917 to share. This brilliant old photo (to Maud) of the 7th Rft of the 4th Machine Gun Company with ‘mainly Tasmanian’ men was posted on October 23 1916 from the Seymour Military Camp, Victoria.

 

Dan posted two post cards to Maud from London dated May 15 1917 one was a photo of the new Admiralty Arch in London, Dan wrote ‘George and I walked under this coming from Hyde Park to Charring Cross’. The other card was another major landmark and again mentions George and I….Maud received both cards on Sept 10 1917..

Sunshine passes, shadows fall, love and remembrance outlasts us all.

Posted on by under George Collis Robinson, Robinson and Holts

Our trip to visit Georges grave in Belgium.

What an adventure, 3 flights to Paris followed by three trains to Pop. The travel gods were with us on the way over as the last two planes were only half full, plenty of room for all to stretch out. We felt blessed!! The three trains were an experience and in the end  after many hours (about 40) on the go, we arrived in Pop…exhausted! Once off the last train and starting toward our accommodation a light misty rain, warm and welcoming, brushed our tired and weary faces, then within a flash, was gone…….  George we are here!!

Thursday, November 9: A much-needed rest day to get acquainted and feel slightly more orientated, we were lucky to have a random meeting with Annemie!! We loved the Flemish language.

Amazing accomodationOur first morning at breakfast, amazing selection of foodA trip the PharmacyThe view from our room - through the flyscreen

 

Friday, November 10: On the way to breakfast we discovered the Market square transformed into a busy market as it is every Friday. The food vans looked and smelt delicious. – the flower stall was stunning and unexpected, a gorgeous wreath and a bunch of almost white Chrysanthemums selected.

We hired bicycles (a popular mode of transport in this part of the world) to ride out to the long anticipated Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery….. the last 3 km of our almost 18000 km journey.

Understanding the distances of the SOS line at Zonnebeke just a short distance from Lijssenthoek became a reality once we had visited other local sites and the beautiful town of Ypres.  Red Cross File. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday 11th November: Remembrance day in Ypres at the Menin Gate Memorial. Footage of this moving experience. 

 

 

Sunday 12th November: A day trip to the old part of Ghent

Monday 13th November: back to the Cemetery before leaving tomorrow. Found our tributes still intact after the wind and rain yesterday. Also discovered a bunch of roses on the grave of Harold Drew. Had his family been to visit? I found Nurse Nellie Spindler’s grave after hearing her story of being the only female buried at Lijssenthoek. It was then I realised the gathering of people on our first visit were standing at her grave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After being in Pop for almost a week we discovered when saying our farewells to our wonderful hosts of their interest with our homeland so we able to do some ad-lib Tourism promotion of Tassie and especially Flinders, as you do♥♥ 

Tuesday 14th November: up early and on the first train to Lille and then crammed on the express train to Paris. A whole other experience and language to get our heads around.

 

Lest we forget

A few faces now have names!

Posted on by under Robinson and Holts

photo 1

Photo 1: Back row left to right we see Alf Briant, Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Robinson, Clara Jane Briant with Tuck Robinson on the far right. The young men sitting in front possibly Holt/Robinsons and Gunter lads.

We know this was taken by Dan Bowman in 1916 and all are named as can be seen a few posts down.

photo 2


Dan Bowman took this group photo of the Holt/Robinson’s and others at a picnic in Lady Barron 1916. Dan possibly took the photo of the people standing in front of the hut.

Photo 2: John Holt front, to his right is Mrs Linda Gunter with Mr Thomas Gunter located directly behind. Dick, George and Horace behind John and in front is Ada Cumming with Louie Holt (white dress) the girl behind her without hat is Tot (Elizabeth Bowman) Dan’s sister, behind Tot is Charlie Holt, Walter Holt, and Dolly Holt (white dress and hat). Robert ‘Bob’ Smith in the middle, Tasman Holt along with Charlie Dyson out on the right. Tuck Holt holding the billy with Ronnie (4) on his lap, wife Lizzie with Eric (6). All those identified here as Holt’s are also Robinson’s!!

Linda Gunter and ‘Lizzie’ Elizabeth Robinson were sisters

Robinson and Holt get together

Posted on by under Robinson and Holts

Where: Launceston, overlooking the area where the Holt boys grew up.

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When: Saturday, October 1

Time: 1pm – 5pm

Invitation: to descendants of James Robinson/Holt, William Holt/Robinson and John Holt.

Food: please bring along a plate to share for afternoon tea. Tea, coffee and milk supplied.

RSVP: by September 20 would be appreciated. Email: timetracker2@outlook.com

An informal gathering of the clan to meet, greet and catch up, share stories, bring along photo’s, a great way to connect or reconnect.

Information to locate landmarks around Launceston where Mary/Elizabeth Dwyer/Robinson/Holt/Prest aka Youl’s shops were located. Of course our Great Great Grandmother was an interesting woman of her day!!

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Snapshot of confirmations to date. Not including partners.

A fabulous professional photographer will be on hand to document the afternoon.

A guest book to collect names and stories.

Identification colours for descendants on arrival to identify direct links.

Background music from old island identities taped by Walter Briant shows off the brilliant musicianship and friendships existing in the older Island community, stop and hear the many old voices and instruments doing they’re thing, the old song ‘I was born on old Cape Barren’ is, I think, a magnificent moment in time  …. Listen to Dulcie Parkinson, daughter of Elizabeth Holt describing being almost shipwrecked aboard the Opha around 1924….

Peter, Joy R, Deb R, Meagan & Chris DeB, Greg H (James and Emily) Horace

Kevin, Lois and Lee R (James and Emily) Cecil ‘Dick’

Gaye Doolan, Sue B, Julie W, Terry H, Peter H, Christine R, Christine V, May K  (William and Ellen Robinson/Holt) Tasman

Neil and David C  & Lisa (James and Emily) Walter Robinson/Holt

Jan H, Albert & Faye P, Suzie SC + family, Caroline W, Carol H, Johnny & L P (John and Maryanne Holt) Elizabeth

Maureen C, Lorraine S (William and Ellen) Harold John

Colin R (William and Ellen Robinson/Holt) William jnr

Graham R, Geraldine R + family Bruce R, Val F, Pat T, Dianne R, Luke R Michael R ? Tony R, Anna G, (William and Ellen) Fred

Brian R, Jean T, Glen R (James and Emily) Tuck

Audrey H (James and Emily) Dolly

Robert & Caroline P, Ron & Danny Sh, Polly B, (William and Ellen) Clara Jane

Alfred S (Alma), Charlie F (Gloria), Marlene S, Penny S, Helen G (William and Ellen) Jessie

Krishna M, Shirl E (William and Ellen) Viola

Kaye B, Brian B, Mark B(John and Maryanne) Elsie

(John and Maryanne) Arthur Lee

Warren & Gillian H (John and Maryanne) Roy

Carleen E and Sandra (William and Ellen) Charlie

(William and Ellen) Claud

(John and Maryanne) Henry Ernest

(John and Maryanne) Maud

(John and Maryanne) May

(John and Maryanne) Ruby

 

(John and Maryanne) Lillian