Matthew Robinson appears in Sharpe's Siege.
Novels[]
A Royal marine under the command of Neil Palmer, he attacks a French girl after the unit ambushed a French recruit and supply column. Sharpe orders him hanged, but Palmer says that Robinson had fought well, and even Wellington mitigates punishments for bravery in the field.
Sharpe ordered the victim's parents paid off, and for Harper and the girl's father to take Robinson behind the barn for punishment. Palmer thanked Sharpe, who said that after Palmer saw what Harper could do to a man, he would not be thanking him.
Before the marines leave the area, however, the girl joins the British, and takes up with Robinson. Before the sortie regains the fort, Robinson deserts with the girl, and is no where to be found, despite the fact that Palmer claims the man is married with two children back in England.
Television[]
Danny Cunningham as Robinson
A member of William Frederickson's 60th Rifles. His best friend, Reilly, is killed while sharing a punishment picket duty with him, and he discovers the body.
His dalliance with a French farm girl nearly cost him his life when Sharpe assumes he had rape on his mind, and orders him hanged. Frederickson asks the the girl be questioned, and Harris ascertains that Robinson's advances had the girl's consent and he was released.
In Sharpe's Siege, Robinson reckons he is the best shot in the company, taking on the role of Rifleman Taylor in the novel. Like Hagman, he likes to grind his powder fine, and load with loose power rather than the prepared cartridges when there was time. Upon observing Robinson's grind, Hagman commented drily, "If ye grind it too fine, it'll blow yer bloody head off, then nobody'll know who's best shot; thee or me."
When Robinson later had the opportunity to act as sniper, his target survived, Hagman backed him up and delivered a fatal shot. The two marksmen shook hands and agreed that Robinson was second best shot.