Robbie, or John Quigley Robinson as he was baptized, was born in 
Belfast, Ireland, in 1897. He spent most of his time on sea. Many years 
ago he joined the International Seamen’s Union and has been promi- 
nent in its activity ever since. He played a leading role in the organiza- 
tion and struggles of the seamen in New York. 
He came to Spain in the spring of 1937 bringing enough seamen with 
him to start a local union. The seamen at first presented a problem to 
the Commander of the Training Base but a solution was found quickly. 
Organized into a Machine-Gun Section under the command of Robbie 
they soon distinguished themselves with their military accomplishments. 
Robbie’s knowledge of men, his lack of all formalities, his sense of 
responsibility and fair play, his Irish Twit expressed in seamen’s lingo, 
soon endeared him to the men of the Lincoln-Washington Battalion. No 
occasion ever stumped him; he preserved his calmness under fire and 
always rose to the situation as was proven in the Quinto-Belchite offen- 
sive. 
He was, in turn, Commissar of the Lincoln-Washington Battalion and 
Assistant Brigade Commissar. 
When his Union recalled him, needing his services urgently, every- 
body was sorry to see him go. The few months he served here were suf- 
ficient to endear him to all. 
S. M. 

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