SLdr Frank L. Robinson DSO MC DFC

[spad]

Can anyone tell me more about Frank L. Robinson? He was a display pilot with the RAF in 1922 when he was part of the RAF Uxbridge team that won the Air Challenge Cup that year (the others were the aces FLt Scruffy Longton and FLt Frank G. Gibbons). They defeated RAF Kenley whose team boasted the aces James Robb, Roy Chappell and the veteran scout pilot Francis L Luxmoore. I can't find him in the RFC/RFC communiques edited by Chris Cole for 1916-18. I assume he was a bomber pilot because he has no AFC but does have a DFC but have not located him yet.

regards

Keith

[spad]

Sorry ref. below

https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightP...%20-%200438.PD

regards

Keith

[Graeme]

Frank Lubbock Robinson was attached to the RFC (from the Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers) on 23 February 1916. He was assigned as an observer to No 6 Squadron the following month; In January 1917 he was a Flight Commander in No 55 Reserve Squadron at Yatesbury and in November of the same year he was Flight Commander in No 63 Squadron in Mesopotamia. He later served with No 30 Squadron in Baghdad.

The award of his DSO appeared in the London Gazette of 5 April 1919:

Capt. (A./Maj.) Frank Lubbock Robinson, M.C. (R. Innis. Fus.). (MESOPOTAMIA)

A very gallant and able Squadron Commander who, by his fine leadership and personal example, has raised high the morale of his command. By his untiring energy he has rendered most valuable service on reconnaissance duty and bombing raids.

(M.C. gazetted 6th September 1915.)

The award of his DFC appeared in the London Gazette of 28 October 1921:

Flight Lieutenant Franks [sic] Lubbock Robinson, D.S.O., M.C., R.A.F.
For continuous good work, gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer has flown over 100 hours during operations, and has shown at all times an untiring example throughout. He has had three machines put out of action by hostile fire from the ground.

He was also Mentioned in Despatches (a pre-requisite for the DSO), the announcement appearing in the London Gazette of 27 August 1918.

Graeme

[spad]

Once again Graeme...blimey!

An MC with the infantry, possibly for service at Gallipoli or Salonika (the Inniskillings were there in 1915)? A DSO with the RAF in WW1 flying RE8 and Bristol M1c in 63 Squadron in Mesopotamia in 1918 and a DFC post war (flying DH9A in Mesopotamia 1920, possibly with Sam Kinkead?). A well-rounded individual indeed.

regards

Keith

[josquin]

Despite some lapses in London Gazette notices, the correct name is
Franks Lubbock Robinson, as verified by:
--his birth registration, at Rathdrum, Ireland, in April-June, 1886 (Ireland Civil
Registration Indexes, 1845-1958)
--1911 Ireland Census, listing Franks Lubbock Robinson as born at County Wicklow,
in 1886, and living in Moylinny, rural County Antrim, employed in the "linen
business"
--D.F.C. award citation, London Gazette 28 October 1921 & Flight 3 November 1921
(p. 722) lists "Franks Lubbock Robinson"
--London Gazette, 9 February 1915, states that T/2nd Lt Franks Lubbock Robinson
is to be T/Lt.
--London Gazette, 31 January 1933: Group Capt. Franks Lubbock Robinson is appointed Air Aide-de-Camp to The King, as of 1 January 1933
--London Gazette, 7 July 1939, announces the retirement of Group Capt. Franks Lubbock Robinson as Air Aide-de-Camp to The King, as of 1 May 1939
--ADM 196/64/141, at The National Archives, Kew, lists Franks Lubbock Robinson
appointed Temporary Lieutenant, 20 September 1914 (presumably in the Royal
Marines)
--WO 339/65943, the Long Service Papers for Lt. Franks Lubbock Robinson, R.F.C.
--M.C. award citation:
"Temporary Lieutenant Franks Lubbock Robinson, Royal Marine Artillery.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Artillery Observing Officer
between 30th July and 10th August 1915, when posted on a high building in
the neighborhood of Ypres. The building was continually shelled by the enemy
with heavy guns, but he maintained his position, a most precarious and dangerous
one, even when the building was in imminent danger of falling, and supplied
valuable information throughout." (Edinburgh Gazette, 10 September 1915,
pp. 1379-1380).
Interesting that he stated his birthdate as March, 1887 on his ADM 196 record,
but the Irish birth registration confirms his birth occurring in 1886.

Josquin

[spad]

What a fascinating chap! So he was an officer in the RMA then transferred into the army, and from there to the RFC?

Many thanks both

Keith

[Graeme]

A few additional London Gazette entries:

London Gazette No 28918, 29 September 1914:
Royal Marines
The undermentioned to be temporary Second Lieutenants: —
…
Frank Lubbock Robinson.
…
Dated 20th September, 1914


London Gazette No 29063, 9 February 1915:
The first Christian name of Temporary Second Lieutenant Franks Lubbock Robinson is as now described, instead of as stated in the Gazette dated 29th September, 1914.

And in the same edition:

Royal Marines.
The undermentioned Temporary Second Lieutenants to be Temporary Lieutenants : —
…
Franks Lubbock Robinson
…
Dated 28th January, 1915.


London Gazette No 29398, 10 December 1915:
Admiralty, 6th December, 1915.
Royal Marines.
Temporary Lieutenant Frank Lubbock Robinson is seconded for service with the Army.
Dated 27th October, 1915.


London Gazette No 29691, 2 August 1916:
Temp. Lt. Franks Lubbock Robinson, from R. Mar. A., to be temp. Lt. on the Gen. List for duty with the R.F.C. 8th June 1916.

Graeme

[Airshipped]

He was also an Olympic silver medalist in the pre-war era:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks_Robinson