Gayndah WWII veteran now at rest with his wife

A YEAR to the day of his death, Gayndah’s last surviving World War II soldier was laid to rest next to his wife in his home town of Gayndah last week.

Born on the family farm in Wetheron in 1920, Oliver Robinson (pictured) went to school in Gayndah, and from all reports, was quite the scholar.

When World War II broke out, Mr Robinson took his horse to Gympie where he was to enlist in the light horse brigade, however he ended up joining the infantry and serving in Borneo instead.

Mr Robinson returned home to Gayndah after the war and bought a farm with his wife, where they raised four kids.

Mr Robinson’s daughter Meryl Miles said her father always loved Gayndah.

“Dad was a farmer for most of his life – when he was young he drove cattle all over the place,” Mrs Miles said.

“He was the last of the local lads who enlisted and fought in Borneo during the Second World War.

“Dad was such a good father and a good man who was highly regarded throughout the community.”

Mr Robinson died on September 24, 2019, at 99 years of age in Hervey Bay, however it was always his wish to be laid to rest in Gayndah.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions the family was unable to hold a ceremony earlier this year, so they decided to wait until the one-year anniversary of his death.

The family held a small ceremony in Gayndah, where they laid Mr Robinson’s ashes alongside his wife’s.

“Gayndah was always Dad’s hometown and it was always our intention to have Gayndah as his eternal resting place …” Mrs Miles said.

“It means a lot to the family – our grandparents were buried there and it is wonderful to know dad is now resting there too.”