THE recent return from the Tokyo of Malvern Olympians Evie Richards and Emily Lewis prompted reader Brian Iles to get in touch with a reminder of one of the town's gold medallists of old.
Mountain biker Evie and kayaker Emily performed admirably, although neither managed a place on the podium but Brian was moved to recount the tale of John Yate Robinson.
John was born in 1865, one of seven children of Malvern vicar, Rev Edward Cecil Robinson, of Orchard Road, Great Malvern.
He was a national field hockey player and played nine times or England (his twin brother Laurence also played for England on three occasions).
He represented his country at the 1908 Olympic Games in London where he won a gold medal.
The sporting all-rounder also captained Oxford at cricket and football.
Captain John Yate Robinson, who died of his wounds in the First World War at the age of 31
During the First World War he was a adjutant and captain in the Prince of Wales, North Staffs Regiment and fought in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia.
During the battle of El Hannah on the River Tigris he received serious spinal wounds of which he later died in England in 1916.
John Robinson's grave in Great Malvern cemetery
He was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Military Cross. He is buried in Great Malvern cemetery.
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