RFC and RAF in WWII; Air Force Medal m. 1923 in Chelsea, London, Mabel Irene [Overell] One of the original 16 pilots of Imperial Airways in 1924. September 1925: "A new air record was created Friday, when Mr. A. L. Robinson, an Imperial Airways pilot, flew a Napier D.H. Express carrying six passengers from Londonto Amsterdam, a distance by air of 275 miles, in 110 minutes. His average speed was 150 miles per hour." His was a rather chequered career; apparently there was a rumour that he insisted on being paid in cash because the taxman was after him. "£900-A-YEAR AIR PILOT Fined on Fraud Charge. When Arthur Leonard Robinson (38), an engineer, of Purley-way. Waddon, was fined £5 at Croydon on Saturday on a charge of obtaining £1 by false pretences, it was stated that as an air pilot he had earned over £900 a year. Robinson, who was referred to as Captain Robinson. was alleged to have received £1 change from a cheque which was returned by the bank. The defence was that the cheque was made out on the strength of a promised payment by an aircraft firm. The firm wrote stating that the cheque waa delayed and desiring to take responsibility for what had happened." - Daily News (London) - 6 Nov 1933 "Arthur Leonard Robinson (38), of Wellesley Road. Croydon, was sentenced yesterday at Croydon to one month's hard labour for stealing £11 10s. from his employers, Provincial Airways. Det. Kingham said that Robinson was formerly an Imperial Airways pilot, earning £900 to £l,000 a year. He was an excellent pilot, but there were so many complaints about him that he was asked to resign." - Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail - 19 Apr 1934 And finally, from the Western Daily Press, 2 May 1934: "Arthur Leonard Robinson (38), a wartime flying officer, stated to have been formerly employed as a pilot by Imperial Airways, was sentenced at London Session, yesterday, to six months' hard labour for obtaining credit by fraud from a London restaurant ... The Chairman said 'I do not want to drag you down any further. With the magnificent record you have, you should try to steer clear of drinking." It looks like he heeded this advice. Postings:
Later a test pilot for Rolls Royce at Hucknall. d. 30 Sep 1950: "ROBINSON Arthur Leonard of 21 Marshall-drive Bramcote Nottingham. Administration Liverpool 17 November to Irene Mabel Robinson widow. Effects £2,478 5s 8d." * File not available |
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