Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Bombardment of the Gothic Line and German Adriatic flank’ D.S.C. group of eight awarded to Commander T. C. Robinson, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, and riband bar, very fine (8) £1,400-£1,800

D.S.C. London Gazette 24 April 1945. The original recommendation states:
‘Outstanding courage, leadership and devotion to duty during bombardment of enemy positions often under enemy fire and always in most hazardous waters.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 July 1941 and 11 June 1946.

Terence Corin Robinson was born in Nottingham on 14 June 1903, the son of artillery officer George Edward Robinson. He entered service of the Royal Navy on 15 January 1917 and was appointed Midshipman aboard the dreadnought battleship Queen Elizabeth on 15 May 1921. Noted as ‘conscientious, trustworthy, and handles men well’, he was advanced Sub Lieutenant 15 June 1924, Lieutenant 15 October 1926 and Lieutenant Commander 15 October 1934. Appointed Commanding Officer of the destroyer Restless in 1935 and twin screw minesweeper Harrow in 1936, he later served as part of the China Station in command of the destroyer Diamond. It was here that he met his wife, Miss Diana Blair, who was visiting her sister.

Returned home briefly at the start of the Second World War, Robinson was made Commanding Officer of the destroyer Fury in July 1940, being deployed off the coast of Libya to bombard positions to the west of Sollum. Mentioned in the King’s birthday honours, he was raised Commander 31 December 1941 and transferred to Operations Division at the Admiralty. Later placed in Command of the destroyer Undine from 11 October 1943 to July 1945, he was awarded the D.S.C. for outstanding resolution and skill in support of 8th Army, the remarks of Rear Admiral Morgan adding: ‘All these operations were carried out in a narrow swept channel which called for the highest degree of vigilance throughout’.

Robinson remained in the Royal Navy after the war and served as Executive Officer at H.M.S. Peregrine - the Royal Naval Air Station at Ford, Sussex - from 21 March 1946 to October 1947. Mentioned for his services in the Far East, he retired in June 1953 and died in Portsmouth in March 1987; sold with a single miniature Jubilee 1935 medal; a letter of provenance from Robinson’s godson, confirming inheritance of the medals; and extensive copied research.