188

JC/NF (right aligned)
40208 : Sergeant Ivan Norton ROBINSON.
MOTHER : Mrs. A.V. Robinson of Auckland.

Ivan Robinson was born at Wanganui on the 14th January 1921, and received his secondary education at the Wanganui Technical College, attending the day classes for one year and the evening classes the next year. He later studied an Aeronautical Course with the Aircraft Club of New Zealand. At the date of his entry into the Air Force he was employed in the N.Z. Railways Workshop, Otahuhu, as a junior lifter.

Sgt. Robinson applied for enlistment in the Air Force in August 1938 but his application was unsuccessful. In October 1938 he joined the Territorials, serving with the 1st Battalion, Auckland Regiment. In March 1939 he applied for a short service commission in the Air Force but his application was again unsuccessful. On the outbreak of War, however, he applied for aircrew training, and was accepted for training as an air gunner.

He entered camp in January 1940, reporting at the Ground Training School, Levin. The following month he proceeded to Ohakea for training as an air gunner. Early in March, 1940 he was awarded his air gunner's badge and promoted to Sergeant.

Sgt. Robinson embarked on the "Akaroa" on the 23rd March 1940 for the United Kingdom, arriving there early on May 9. The following month he was posted to No. 264 Squadron, where he carried out flying duties as an air gunner on Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft. He was engaged on combat training and defensive patrols for the next eight months, until on the 10th February 1941, he was posted to No. 96 Squadron, Cranage, Cheshire. From this base he took part in defensive patrols, including night operations. On the night of the 24th June 1941, he damaged an Enemy Dornier 217.

Sgt. Robinson lost his life on the 22nd July 1941 when the Defiant in which he was air gunner crashed into the side of Eddisbury Hill, Oakmere, England. He was buried in St. John's Churchyard, Byley, Cheshire.

Find a Grave link with a photo of Sgt. Robinson: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190113037/ivan_norton-robinson/photo
Auckland Museum link with more info: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C27744?n=ivan+norton+robinson&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0

5/3/557
162 hrs.

Mrs. A.V. Robinson (M) (right aligned)
17 Grove Road, Mt. Albert, (right aligned)
AUCKLAND (right aligned & underlined)