Camden People - Edwin Robbins

EDWIN ROBBINS was born in Camden, New Jersey on December 6, 1908 to Myrtle and John Robbins. The family, which included older brother Howard and younger sister Margaret, lived at 330 North 10th Street in North Camden when the 1910 Census was enumerated. They were still at that address in 1920. By 1927 The Robbins family had moved to 569 Trenton Avenue. By 1929 they had moved once again, to 517 Trenton Avenue. Edwin Robbins by this time was working in Philadelphia as a plumber. The family was still at that address in April of 1930. Edwin Robbins married Emily Wright during the 1930s. The 1940 Census shows them living at 1153 Sheridan Street.

Edwin Robbins was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on February 1, 1942 and reported for duty the same day, with Engine Company 8.

The use of audible warning devices by fire apparatus was restricted to bells only. The burden to both fire fighters and the public safety was formidable. On March 1, 1942, the inevitable happened. Engine Company 8 while responding to an alarm was involved in a collision with a ten ton truck at Third Street and Kaighn Avenue. Upon impact all of the firemen were thrown into the street. The truck driver declared that he failed to hear the bells of the approaching apparatus. The mishap resulted in injuries to six members and total destruction of the apparatus. Captain Alvin Thompson was listed in critical condition, while Firemen Mitchell Wojtkowiak, Philip Farrow, Leonard Oshushek, Lawrence Boulton and Edwin Robbins were admitted for lesser injuries. Battalion Chief Laurence Newton stated that he believed the accident might have been avoided if fire companies were not prohibited from using sirens.

Edwin Robbins went into the United States Navy on June 26, 1943. He returned to Camden and was assigned to Engine Company 2 on December 1, 1945. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows him and wife Emily residing at 1153 Sheridan Street. They later moved to 241 Wilmot Street in East Camden.

On June 16, 1951 Edwin Robbins was promoted to Captain and assigned to Engine Company 11 in Cramer Hill, where he served until he retired on pension, July 1, 1962. After retirement Edwin Robbins lived in Whiting, New Jersey and in Cape May, New Jersey. He last was a resident of Marlton, New Jersey.

Edwin Robbins passed away on February 27, 2002.

Camden Courier-Post - March 1, 2002

ROBBINS, EDWIN
On February 27, 2002, of Marlton, formerly of Whiting, Cape May and Camden. Age 93. Devoted husband of 65 years of the late Emily A. Robbins (nee Wright). He is survived by his beloved daughter, Barbara and son-in-law, Thomas Dunlap of Marlton. Also surviving are four grandsons, Dr. Thomas Dunlap, Jr. of Joplin, Missouri, Paul and Edwin Dunlap, both of Shamong and Craig Dunlap of Marlton, one granddaughter, Holly Arechavala of Marlton and three great grandchildren, Kellie and Matthew Dunlap and Daniel Arechavala, all of Marlton. Born in Camden, Edwin was the son of the late John and the late Myrtle Robbins. He is the brother of the late Howard Robbins and the late Margaret Busa. Mr. Robbins was one of the oldest members of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #322, Winslow and the retired Captain of the Camden Fire Dept. He was also a member of the Marlton Elks Lodge #2514 and Matthew Purnell VFW Post #518, Camden. He was a WWII Veteran of the Navy Seabees serving in the South Pacific. Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Monday from 10-11am at the Wiley Church, Main St., Marlton, where a Funeral Service will be held at 11am. Interment Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill, NJ. If desired, contributions in Edwin's memory may be made to Wiley Home, 99 East Main St., Marlton, NJ 08053. Funeral directed by BRADLEY FUNERAL HOME, Marlton (856)983-1005.