James Archibald Robson’s war was a short one. After enlisting in May 1916, he arrived in France to join the 52nd Battalion in January 1917, but was wounded at Bullecourt in April. As a result, Robson returned to Australia in August. All this came after Robson had been rejected for service eight times.
Before the war, Robson had worked as a butcher in Toowoomba, as well as being a regular goalscorer for Western Suburbs. His soccer exploits made him eligible to be included on the Toowoomba British Football Association honour board.
Robson returned to soccer after the war, when he captained Diggers in 1919 and before returning to Western Suburbs the next season. He also played for the Toowoomba representative team against Brisbane’s Milton in 1919.