1945-1946, Thomas Robinson, Mayor of Leigh

1945-1946, Thomas Robinson, Mayor of Leigh

Thomas Robinson was a war hero who worked tirelessly for ex-servicemen and helped make the Leigh branch of the Royal British Legion one of the most admired in the country.

“Robbie”, as he was known in his days as a regular soldier, had a reputation for enjoying a tilt at authority if he felt the need to fight for justice for his fellow man and it was said of him that “he never shirked a duty”.

That was never more evident than during the First World War when he saw active service in France with the Lancashire Fusiliers and was awarded the Military Medal for an act of bravery.

Born in Pickley Green, Westleigh, on May 10, 1883, Thomas Robinson was educated at St Paul’s School then Leigh Technical School, where in 1912 he won the Speakman Prize for the best student.

He started his working life at J & J Hayes Victoria Mills then as a mineworker before enlisting in the Army in 1901. He became an instructor and served with the Lancashire Fusiliers for seven years until he was placed on the reserve in 1908. In 1914 he was recalled to the colours as company quartermaster sergeant and was engaged in the training of recruits, assisting in the formation of Earl Kitchener’s Army at Bury.

Sent to France in 1917, his division – the 4^th - held the brunt of the German attack. He saw action at Arras and Passchendaele and it was at Etain in September 1918, where his courage led to him being decorated with the Military Medal after his battalion was trapped and he volunteered to take food to his comrades. It was thought certain death would ensue but he went on with 12 other men – four of whom lost their lives – and the mission succeeded with the rations getting through.

After being discharged on pension from the Army in 1920, he returned to mining and worked at Priestner’s Pit, where he became active in the union movement. He became president of his branch of the Mineworkers Union and was assistant secretary of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners Executive in 1922-23.

Thomas Robinson maintained a close and abiding interest in the affairs of the Territorial Army and was a respected figure for many years at the Bury Barracks. He devoted much of his time to the British Legion and to hundreds of ex-servicemen who had trouble with their pensions and went to him for assistance.

His 31 years of service on the Borough Council began in November, 1929, when he was elected councillor for St Paul’s Ward. He occupied numerous public offices and for 15 years was the Council’s representative on the East Lancashire Territorial and Auxilliary Forces Association.

In 1950, he was elevated to the alderman’s bench and continued to serve on the Borough Council, building a reputation as a feisty and formidable adversary in debates, until retiring on ill-health grounds in June 1961.

He died in May 1964 at the age of 81 and is buried in Leigh Cemetery.

Written by Gordon Sharrock

References

Biographical cuttings – Thomas Robinson, available at Leigh Local Studies.