The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Interview with Mr W J Robinson, Private 61464 of the 11th General Service Reinforcement of the 1st AIF, also served with the 45th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers North Russian Relief Force, enlistment no. 133038. Interview held in Castle Hill, Sydney, on 23 June 1984. Interviewed by Stuart Menzies.
Wilfred meets his friends Johnny Redman and Jimmy Peaden when ill at Sierra Leone and the three are sent to London aboard SS Zealandic, arriving December 1918. While on camp duties, they all enlist in 45th Royal Fusiliers as part of the North Russian Relief Force and are discharged from the AIF in mid-1919. Swearing in to 45th Royal Fusiliers before going to Saddling Camp, Kent. Shortage of cash. Visiting Glasgow with tickets and pass from 45th Royal Fusiliers. Shipped to Russia aboard the Czar, calling at Murmansk and disembarking in Archangel, lodged in barracks. Known as the Australian Company of the 45th but neither a full company nor all Australian. Stealing cases of champagne and port wine and ensuing fire and scuffles with firemen and guards. All Australians released apart from Peaden, who was to be court martialled for assaulting a White Russian officer. Capt Newbold had him released with the proviso that he was to be given every onerous duty that there was when the company was sent into the line at either Nova Seskia or Backaritza. Peaden was detailed to patrol a forest and Robinson and Redman volunteered to go with him.
Places mentioned include: Sierra Leone, London, Sutton Veni No. 1 Command Depot, AIF Headquarters, Horsery Road, Saddling Camp, Kent,
Glasgow, Southampton, Murmansk, Archangel, Nova Seskia, Backaritza, Ampster. People mentioned include: Sergeant Pearce (later VC)
Major May (CO of Australian contingent of 45th Royal Fusiliers), Capt. Newbold (2IC of contingent).
Part 1 of Private Wilfred John Robinson, AIF, First World War and 45th Royal Fusiliers, North Russian Relief Force 1919, interviewed by Stuart Menzies
Part 2 of Private Wilfred John Robinson, AIF, First World War and 45th Royal Fusiliers, North Russian Relief Force 1919, interviewed by Stuart Menzies
Part 3 of Private Wilfred John Robinson, AIF, First World War and 45th Royal Fusiliers, North Russian Relief Force 1919, interviewed by Stuart Menzies
Black leather wallet with envelope-style flap opening. The flap is printed in large green letters with 'The Aussie Wallet'. Below this in smaller lettering the text reads 'XMAS WISHES FROM AUSTRALIAN
Collection relating to the First World War Service of 61464 Lance Corporal Wilfred John Robinson, 13 General Service Reinforcements and the North Russia Intervention service service of 133038 Private
Norman Brooke DCM of the 1st Pioneer Battalion and 2nd Medium Trench Mortar Battery, later of the 45th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Arrived in England in April 1919 after being demobilised in France; jo
Collection relating to the First World War Service of 61464 Lance Corporal Wilfred John Robinson, 13 General Service Reinforcements and the North Russia Intervention service service of 133038 Private
Collection relating to the First World War Service of 61464 Lance Corporal Wilfred John Robinson, 13 General Service Reinforcements and the North Russia Intervention service of 133038 Private Wilfred
Pair of slippers made from cow hide. The slippers feature red piping which runs between the vamp and quarters, cow hide soles and a rabbit fur top band. They are fabric lined with felted nap, cream wo
1908 Pattern Australian Army web belt decorated with 55 metal and plastic buttons, badges and shoulder titles. The buttons include examples from Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, America, Ru
Black leather wallet with envelope-style flap opening. The flap is printed in large green letters with 'The Aussie Wallet'. Below this in smaller lettering the text reads 'XMAS WISHES FROM AUSTRALIAN