‘Robson’s Song’ is by the award-winning Stockton Folk trio The Young’uns. It is part of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff https://www.theyounguns.co.uk/johnnylongstaff
Tony explained – I heard it for the first time in April 2018 in Stockton’s Arc theatre. This experience led me to carry out research for the Stockton International Brigade memorial and for the North-East Volunteers for Liberty group. I was also thrilled to speak to Alec, the son of Robbie Robson.
On the 90th anniversaries of Cable Street and the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War – two events that Robson was heavily involved in – his Granddaughter Natasha and Grandnephew Rob also saw The Young’uns perform Robson’s Song and I was delighted they agreed to join my campaign to erect a memorial to Robbie Robson.
Who was Robert Robson? Robert William Robson was born on 6th April 1897 to Arthur and Jane Robson of Guisborough. When Robbie was nine the family moved to South Bank, just outside Middlesbrough. During The Great War Robbie served in the Royal Army Medical Corp, returning to Middlesbrough in 1919 he became the Branch Secretary for The National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers which became the British Legion in 1921. He was also a founding member of the Communist Party – he established a Teesside branch in 1920.
In 1925, after the leading members of the Communist party were imprisoned, Robert joined the National Executive Committee and was appointed London District Organiser for the CPGB. During the General Strike in 1926 Robert was arrested and sentenced to six weeks imprisonment.
In 1933 Robert took up his new role of National Organiser for the CPGB, responsible for propaganda and events. The records show that he actively organised demonstrations against the British Union of Fascists.
Robert became solely responsible for interviewing, vetting and approving the International Brigade volunteers, a role he carried out throughout the Spanish Civil War. Secret service closely monitored him and his MI5 files are an invaluable record of his activities.
Tony added… It is an honour to speak to Alec and Natasha to gain an insight into his personality. His Granddaughter, Natasha told me …
“Sadly, Robbie and his wife Eirene died before I was born, but I have always found their work and stories fascinating and it is very humbling that there is support to create a permanent memorial to Robbie.”
“My father Alec was born in 1935 and he remembers Robbie as a quiet man, dedicated to his work, with many friends. He speaks of him as a sensible father with a good sense of humour. Dad says my grandmother was a quiet, intelligent woman. He describes her as being ‘friends with everyone’.”
“Luckily, various personal correspondence from my grandparents survives and reading that has been helpful to get a sense of what they were like as people. They were very clearly devoted to one another and seemed to enjoy the countryside. One might say they took pleasure from the small but important things in life.”
“I have visited the grave in Hampstead where they are both buried and it would be wonderful to repair the memorial to my grandmother and mark the resting place of my grandfather.”
Tony continued – Natasha found that the gravestone is sadly neglected and is in desperate need of repair, it reads: In loving memory of Eirene Mary Robson, beloved wife of RW Robson, Born 22nd Jan 1910, Died 26th Nov 1962, RIP
In loving memory of Eirene Mary Robson, beloved wife of RW Robson, Born 22nd Jan 1910, Died 26th Nov 1962, RIP
As Natasha tells us, Robert was buried with his beloved wife, however, the gravestone was not altered to include him. I think that it is tragic that there is no physical memorial to RW Robson, an activist who played a significant role in a number of momentous events and wrote and published a substantial number of pamphlets for the Communist Party. We only have this vast body of work, and ‘Robson’s Song’ to remember him, but nothing tangible commemorates him.
He inspired innumerable people and galvanised comrades in the Party and beyond. We feel that this man, who rallied so many people to campaign for a better future should be remembered. This is why, with the family, the North East Volunteers for Liberty are about to start campaigning to rectify this omission.
Tony added – We aim firstly to raise the funds needed to repair and restore the gravestone in Hampstead cemetery and then to erect permanent memorials to RW Robson, one in London and one in Middlesbrough, Teesside.
If you would like to contribute to the campaign or find out more, please contact >> NEVolunteersforliberty@gmail.com
Alikivi (edit) November 2026
