Canada, CEF. A First War Memorial Group to Pte. C Robinson, 3rd Btn CMG, Died of Wounds, Battle of Arras, 1918

A British War Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 1004167 PTE. C. ROBINSON. C.M.G. BDE., minor contact marks, extremely fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 1004167 PTE. C. ROBINSON. C.M.G. BDE., minor contact marks, extremely fine. 

A Memorial Cross, in silver, reverse engraved 1004167 Pte. C. ROBINSON, marked STERLING on 6 o’clock arm, measures 31.8 mm (w) x 35.0 mm (h), light contact, extremely fine. 

A Memorial Plaque, in bronze, named to CHARLES ROBINSON, measures 120 mm (d), light contact, extremely fine. 

A 227th Infantry Battalion Cap Badge, in pickled brass, voided, unmarked, measuring 47 mm (w) x 46.8 mm (h), both lugs intact, extremely fine.

Footnote: Charles Robinson was born in Leith, Scotland. He was residing in Sudbury Ontario and working as a freight clerk when he enlisted in the war on January 24, 1917. 

He arrived in France in March 1918 and was taken on strength by the 52nd Canadian Battalion. He joined the 3rd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps in mid April. 

Robinson died of wounds, after suffering a gunshot wound to the neck. He was identified as dead on admission to the 1st British Casualty Clearing Station on August 26,1918. This wound was received near Monchy in the Battle of Arras. 

During the Battle of Arras in August 1918, the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Brigade provided critical fire support for the Canadian Corps’ offensive operations. Employing massed Vickers guns, the battalion laid down sustained barrages to suppress German strongpoints and disrupt counter-attacks, while mobile sections advanced with the infantry to consolidate captured positions. Their coordinated firepower was instrumental in maintaining the momentum of the Canadian advance, though it came at the cost of heavy casualties amid fierce fighting.