Lot 3562

Description

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, (EVIIR). No.2 Private G.M.Robson. P.C.Inf: 14.9.07. Engraved. Good extremely fine.

Together with Royal Life Saving Society Medallion in bronze, reverse inscribed, 'G.M.Robson/1907'; St John Ambulance Association Re-Examination Medallion (4th issue) with Five Years Service bar and Five Years Service brooch bar, reverse of medallion inscribed, '134242/George M.Robson', hallmarked for Birmingham 1910 by maker 'V&S' (Vaughton & Sons), together with a series of silver labels (for each annual successful re-examination), includes die struck issues for 1920 and 1922 and inscribed issues for 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 (Note both die struck and inscribed issues for 1922).

CAFLSM: CAG No.49 14/9/1907, p1175 - Queensland - 2 Pte George Miller Robson, The Port Curtis Infantry.

George Miller Robson was born at Peltonfell, County Durham, England on 12 March 1868 and arrived at Rockhampton in 1886. He served in the Railway Department as a leading hand blacksmith until he retired from the service in 1931. As well as being a member of the Volunteer Infantry he was also an honorary ambulance bearer from 1905 to 1926. During that time he was railway ambulance officer for the Rockhampton District. From March 1937 he was one of the trustees of the reserves for general cemeteries at Rockhampton. He also took an active part in several lodges and was secretary of the Lord Roden No.12 Lodge and the R.B.P. Gersham No.12 and was Past Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Institution of Queensland as well as being a member of the Loyal Livingston Lodge No.9, I.O.O.F.

George was also a volunteer fireman joining the Rockhampton volunteer brigade in 1895. In 1909 he was appointed Captain, in 1911 Assistant Superintendent and when the permanent brigade was formed in 1914 he was appointed Auxiliary Engineer which position he held until he retired in 1931. During WWI he served as a munitions worker and also formed several volunteer fire brigades to deal with fires caused by any air raids that might occur.

George Miller Robson died on 2 February 1939 and he was given a fireman's funeral, the first occasion that this ceremony had been performed in Rockhampton for over 20 years. His coffin was draped in a Union Jack on which was resting a fireman's helmet and was carried to the Rockhampton cemetery on a fire engine. The engine was preceded by the Chief Fire Officer and Ex-Chief Fire Officer and was flanked by members of the brigade.