2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 14 May 1919 (Peace Gazette number 62).

Parkinson was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

Born on the 15 January 1899 at 34, Norton Street, Burnley, Lancashire, the son of William and Mary Ann Parkinson (nee Spencer).

Enlisted on the 13 September 1916, at the time of enlisting he gave his address as "White House", Catlow Bottoms, Briercliffe, Burnley, Lancashire and next of kin his mother Sarah Ann Parkinson. He served in Belgium and France from the 13 July 1917.

Whilst serving in Germany in December 1918 he was shot in the chest whilst helping to control a protest during a revolutionary protest.

The Nelson Leader of 28 December 1918, reported, WOUNDED IN GERMAN REVOLUTION. Corporal Robin Parkinson, South Wales Borderers, whose home is at Further Clough Head Cottage, Nelson, and who has relatives and friends at Aqueduct Street, Burnley, has been wounded by a revolver shot in the chest in Germany whilst his regiment were following up German retreats. The country is in a state of revolution and this is just one of the incidents consequent on the British troops in restoring order. Corporal Parkinson who is now in hospital in 19 years of age, and went out last year.

The Nelson Leader of 1 January 1919, reported, M.M., for NELSON SOLDIER. Corporal Robinson Parkinson, South Wales Borderers, son of Mr. Robinson (sic), of Fir Clough Head, Walverden, Nelson, has bee awarded the Military Medal for distinguished conduct in the field. He is 20 years of age and went out last January when just 19. He was formerly a weaver at Valley Mills, Nelson. Corporal Parkinson has sent a postcard stating he is in hospital at Cologne and has a revolver bullet in his breast which he received on the night of 12 December 1918. He has gone through one operation but will need another before he can be returned to England. Corporal Parkinson has friends in Aqueduct Street, Burnley.

Robinson Parkinson was discharged on the 4 September 1919, unfit for further service.

On the 1921 census he was living at Further Clough Head, Nelson, employed as a French polisher.

On the 1939 register he was living a 10, Clover Hill Road, Nelson, Lancashire. He was employed as a French polisher.

Robinson Parkinson died aged 66, on the 21 February 1965 (Nelson Leader 26 February 1965).