BX September 21, 1914

Brantford Volunteer Has Been Recalled Before Leave Expired – Pte. Robinson Receives Orders to Rejoin Regiment at Valcartier without Delay – Talks Interestingly of Camp Life as He Found It

Having obtained three weeks’ leave of absence, Private Joseph Robinson, 120 Cayuga Street, who went to Valcartier with the First Contingent of the 38th Dufferin Rifles, under Capt. M.A. Colquhoun, returned to the city ten days ago to undergo an operation on his nose, which was performed on Thursday. He has since received a hurry-up call to report at the concentration camp immediately, and consequently left on Monday night for Quebec, were he expects to leave in a very few days with the Canadian contingent for the old country.

Private Robinson, who was manifestly keen to get to the front having already seen 18 months’ service in South Africa, stated that when he left Valcartier ten days ago, all the men were well and anxious for action. The Dufferin Rifles contingent, which now totals in the vicinity of 200 men, has been placed in the first brigade, fourth battalion, the local volunteers being divided into two companies, every one of which Captain Colquhoun is in command. Lieut.-Col. Howard as major has been appointed second in command of the fourth battalion.

Satisfied with Conditions

In speaking of the conditions which exist at the camp, Private Robinson stated that things had rounded quickly into shape and that the hardships which the men were compelled to undergo for the first few days would help to prepare them for actual war conditions. The food, he said, was very satisfactory, and a good deal better than he had enjoyed when fighting with the British regiments in South Africa. Bacon, coffee, bread and butter – real butter, he emphasized – constituted the morning meal. For the noon meal the men were served; large rations of soup, potatoes, with their jackets on, meat, occasionally roast beef, and more bread and butter, followed by jam or cheese and bread and butter with coffee for the evening meal.

The Daily Routine

Except on rainy days, when the bugle-call announces “no parades,” the daily routine is kept pretty much the same throughout the week. “Reveille” is sounded at 5.20 a.m., followed by muster roll at 6 o’clock, when orders are given out for the day. After breakfast the time is spent largely in route marches and firing, in the afternoon company, squad and section drill are conducted on the large parade square, when the men are put through some really strenuous work. The evening is left free to the men and is spent largely in chatting with comrades, an occasional fire alarm to keep the men ever ready for action and finally to writing letters.

Duffs are Good Shots

In connection with the shooting, concerning which so much favorable comment has been heard of the ability of the Brantford contingent. Pte. Robinson was most enthusiastic. He expressed, however, the belief that when the Canadian Contingent reached the front they would be using the old Lee Enfield rifle instead of the Ross. Robinson claimed that many of the veterans at Valcartier, who have already seen warfare in all its realities, decidedly prefer the former, which they claim is not so easily rendered inaccurate. The targets at the camp ranges have bulls’ eyes of six inches at 200 yards, it being figured that if a man can hit a bull’s eye at that distance they ought to be able to hit a man at from 1000 to 1500 yards at least.

One of the chief attractions during the evening at the camp is a free open-air motion-picture show, which is conducted by the Y.M.C.A. Another picture show was started and an admission fee charged, but the men showed their displeasure by burning the structure to the ground.

BX January 12, 1965

Joseph Robinson Sr.

Joseph Robinson Sr., 76 of 24 Johnson Road, died Monday in the Brantford general Hospital.  He was born in England and resided in Brantford for the past 60 years.  Mr. Robinson was employed with Koehring-Waterous Limited for 32 years, and when he retied in 1949, he was a supervisor.  He was a member of the Koehring-Waterous 25-year Club.  During the First World War he served overseas with the “Mad Fourth” Battalion and was wounded at Ypres and was a member of the Maccabees tent Redemption, Brantford.  Surviving besides his wife, the former Florence Careswell are a son, Joseph of Rock Hill, S.C.; a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Josephine) Lasbury of Brantford; four brothers, Harry and John of Brantford, William and Thomas of England; three sisters, Honor, Minnie, Beatrice all of England; one grandchild.  Mr. Robinson will be at the Hill and Robinson Funeral Home for Wednesday evening.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete.