Robins/Harper Family Tree

William Robins and his family came to Australia on the convict transport Asia V (Voyage 4). He came as part of the 96th Regiment of Foot guarding 260 convicts (258 landed) being transported to Van Diemen's Land. The Asia V's fourth voyage (Master John Davison, Surgeon Superintendent Andrew Sinclair) began from Deal on 31 March 1841. She proceeded thence to Portsmouth, leaving there on 17 April, 1841, and after an uneventful crossing (apart from the two convicts who died) arrived at Hobart Town on 21 August the same year. William did not remain in Hobart Town, coming on to Sydney Town with the headquarters of the 96th in September, 1841. He was stationed at Windsor, NSW, from mid-September, 1841, to 16 June, 1842, and then at Parramatta from 16 June, 1842, to January, 1843. The headquarters of the Regiment was then ordered to Launceston, Tasmania, arriving there on 23 January, 1843. After twelve months at Launceston William retired from the Army on 31 January, 1844, having given 20 years service. He had joined at Salford Barracks, Manchester, on 1 February, 1824, when the 96th Regiment of Foot was re-formed after having been disbanded in Ireland in 1818. It would seem he was an early recruit as his regimental number was 22. His discharge details recorded in the Return of the Disposition of Troops for the quarter 1 January to 31 March, 1844 (W.O. 12/9615 Folio 175) show his Place of Birth as “St Peter's, Worcester”, his Trade when Enlisted as “Leather Stainer” and his Date of Enlistment as “1st February 1824”.

Certified copy of birth certificate of Edwin Robins, shows address of
William Robins (the informant and father of Edwin) as Brisbane Street
LAUNCESTON and profession as "SHOEMAKER".

Certified copy of death certificate of William Robins gives his profession
as "POSTMAN" and cause of death as "DIARRHOEA".