ROBIN, SIR ALFRED WILLIAM (1860-1935), a son of James Robin, was born in Dunedin and educated at the Otago Boys High School. He then joined his father's coach building business. Always interested in volunteering, he rose to captain of the Otago Hussars. In 1897 he commanded the New Zealand mounted troop at Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. On his return he was given command of the Otago Mounted Rifles, and in 1898 he became mounted infantry instructor for New Zealand. In 1899 he commanded the 1st New Zealand Contingent in the South African war. (Queen's medal with five clasps; C.B. 1900) On returning from South Africa he commanded the Otago district, and in 1907 was promoted chief of the general staff, first military member of the Council of Defence, and general officer commanding the New Zealand forces. In 1910 he was appointed adjutant and quartermaster-general. After serving at the War Office, London, as Dominion representative on the Imperial General Staff (1912-14) Robin was stationed in New Zealand during the war of 1914-18 as acting commander of forces within the Dominion. From 1920 to 1922, as major-general, he was acting-administrator of Western Samoa. (C.M.G., 1912; K.C.M.G., 1920) In 1933 he was awarded the order of the Silver Wolf in the boy scout movement. He died in Wellington on 2 Jun 1935, unmarried.

Cycl. NZ., iv (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; The Dominion, 3 Jun 1935 (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 126

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