Robert Robb

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRobert Campbell•Robb
Used nameRobert•Robb
Nick/petnamesBertie
Born20 February 1882 in Belfast, Northern Ireland (GBR)
Died23 October 1941 in Claygate, England (GBR)
Affiliations?, Belfast (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Robert Robb, known as Bertie, was the son of a well-known Belfast merchant Kirker Robb. Robert and his brother Victor established a well known motor car engineering business in Belfast, and his love of cars, and high speed often meant appearances in local magistrate’s courts for Bertie on speeding and reckless driving offences. He took his love of speed to another level when he obtained an aviator’s licence in 1916, which was put to good use as he was granted a Commission into the Royal Naval Air Service (Royal Flying Corps) that same year.

Robb was an all-round sportsman and was a well-known local footballer and rugby player. As an athlete, he finished second in the IAAA 440 yards in both 1907 and 1908 to Ivo Fairbairn-Crawford and George Morphy. He also competed in the International against Scotland at Edinburgh in 1908 but finished third of three, as the only Irish runner, in the 440 y. He was eliminated in his heat at the Olympic Games that year.

Robb’s brother Victor was injured during the War in 1916, after being shot in the shoulder, and returned to England only to die in hospital shortly afterward from septic poisoning. After the War, Bertie moved to England and made his home there.

Personal Bests: 400 – 52.6e (1908).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Athletics GBR Robert Robb
400 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 h13 r1/3