Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Colonel

Army Number : 23221329 and 443738

Unit : Royal 1st Bn, Royal 4/5th Bn (TA), 4th R Anglian

Biography :

Educated at Stamford School (where he was in the rugby, athletics and boxing teams), Richard Robinson spent three years (1951-54) as a Trooper in the British South Africa Police, involved in policing the outback of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). On return to UK he joined the Army. After training at Eaton Hall OCS, he was commissioned 2Lt into The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment on 30.7.1955, served in 1st R Lincolns in Malaya, and was promoted Lt on 11.3.1957. Transferred to The Royal Leicestershire Regiment on 16.7.1958, and became IO of 1st Bn. Whilst in Plymouth he married Elizabeth Aspland Howden (a radiographer).

From 1959-62 he was a Coy 2IC at the All Arms Junior Leaders Bn in Tonfanau (N Wales). In 1962-64 he was Adjutant of 4/5th R Leicesters TA in Leicester, returning to The Tigers’ Regular Battalion, 4th R Anglian, in 1964 as OC C Coy just before the Aden tour. On the Bn’s return to Watchet in 1965 he took over as Adjutant during the tour (1965-66) in Malta. Promoted Temp Major 1.11.1965 and Substantive Major 31.12.1967. Served as a Staff Officer in HQ 7th Armoured Brigade in BAOR 1967-68, returning to 4th R Anglian as OC B Coy for the period 1969-70 in Bahrain. Awarded M.B.E. (L.G. 1.1.1972) for work as GSO2 (Ops/SD), HQ Southern Command, Hounslow 1970-71. Instructor (Company Commanders’ Division) School of Infantry 1972-73. Promoted Lt Col 1973. Awarded O.B.E (L.G.8.6.1977) for work as Commander, Union Defence Force, United Arab Emirates (1974-76) (in 1975 the Force, having increased in strength and equipment, was renamed Al Yarmouk Brigade). In 1976 he was awarded United Arab Emirate’s Distinguished Service Medal. Staff Officer MOD 1977-79. Chief of Staff HQ Wales 1980-83. Promoted Colonel 20.7.1982. A Deputy Military Secretary MOD 1984-86. Colonel Commandant, Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force 1984-87.
He retired from the Army on 27.4.87 and became the Domus Bursar of St John’s College, Cambridge. Admitted to the Degree of Master of Arts by the University of Cambridge May 1990. Retired from the appointment of Bursar in 2002, although remaining a Fellow of the College. Parish Councillor 2006-2016. President of the local area Royal British Legion 2008-onwards. Trustee of The Royal Tigers’ Association 2005-2015, Chairman 2008-2011, President & Chairman 2011-2015.

Date of Birth : 8.1.1933

Place of Birth : Doncaster, N Yorks

Date of Death : 15.7.2024

Place of Death : Cambridge

Civil Occupation : Bursar, St John's College, Cambridge

Period of Service : 1954-87

Conflicts : Malayan Emergency, Aden

Places Served : UK, Malaya, Germany, Aden, Malta, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates