This is the story of Kevin Robinson.

Kevin was the son of John and Annie Robinson of Florence Street, Port Pirie and brother of Ursula and Jack. He was born on the 2nd January 1916, educated at Port Pirie High School and enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) on the 21st July 1941.

Before enlisting Kevin was in a business partnership with his brother Jack trading as Robinson Bros. Port Pirie.

Pilot Officer Kevin Alphonsus Robinson, Service Number 416614, was one of 7 crew members of a Short Sterling MK III (EF271) Bomber who disappeared in the crash of their plane during a parachuting mission to drop supplies to resistance fighters in the South West of France, on February 16, 1944.

Kevin was attached to 199 Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF) in a Special Operations mission when the plane crashed for reasons unknown at Vergt in the Dordogne, 22 kms south of Perigneux, France. Short Stirling’s could fly slowly at low altitudes and carry heavy loads but for these reasons, carried risks of being shot down.

All seven of the crew were killed and are buried in Mazargues War Cemetery, 6kms south west of Marseilles. Kevin is commemorated at the War Memorial in Canberra, ACT; the National War Memorial of South Australia, Adelaide, SA and the Port Pirie World War 2 Gates in Port Pirie, SA.

Kevin’s story was collected by the Port Pirie RSL to preserve the history of people in their local community.