Artist (painter and sculptor), scoutmaster

Harry was scoutmaster of the 1st Langholm Troop (B.P.) Boy Scouts, ‘B.P.’ referring to Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scout movement. He and his family lived in a rented house at 83 Caroline Street.

His eldest son, Harry junior, worked in the Land Values Office in Melrose and was a scoutmaster there. He received a Silver Wolf award, the highest Scout decoration, ‘for services of the most exceptional character’. He enlisted in October 1914 and was a second lieutenant with 2nd KOSB in Belgium.

In June 1915, Harry senior received a letter from Lieut Adj T H Challoner, 2nd KOSB, saying:

I am extremely sorry to say your son, 2nd Lieut H. S. S. Robinson, was shot through the back on the 8th inst. [of this month], and died the following day. He was in charge of a party working on a trench, and was on his return, entering the gate of the chateau where his company were stationed, when he was hit. Perhaps I may be allowed to say that Robinson was admired and liked by everyone. He was invariably cheerful and ready for any duty. On the morning of his being hit he was in company with the Commanding Officer going round the trench his party was working on at night, and the Commanding Officer selected him for supervising this work, which was of considerable importance. I may also say Brigadier-General Wanless O’Gowan had a great opinion of him, and himself is arranging to erect a cross over his grave in Dickebusch Churchyard.

^{E&L, 23 Jun 1915}

Harry senior also received a personal letter from Sir Robert Baden-Powell (see Tuesday 21st June in the Diary).

Harry and Alice’s daughter Elsie was a patrol leader in the Langholm Girl Guides and later became a shorthand typist.

Harry’s Boy Scouts provided valuable services to the Langholm Red Cross Hospital throughout the war.

His artistry skills were used to provide the scenery for fundraising concerts and other entertainment. He was Father Christmas in the Parish Church’s Sunday School treat in 1917, and in 1918 he wrote the lyrics for a song called ‘Heroes All’, for which Elsie wrote the music. It was dedicated to ‘the sons and daughters of the
Empire who have laid down their lives in the cause of liberty and freedom’.

Harry subsequently became a commercial traveller, and he, Alice and Elsie moved to Blackpool.

Born	Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, 1870
Parents	James Robinson (1841-), Jane Lister (1845-)
Siblings
Marriage	Alice Bottomley (1874-1931)
Children	Harry (1895-1915), Elsinore (1901-1978), Arthur (1910-1990)
Died	Blackpool, 1944, aged 73