Harold Robinson

Harold George Robinson (9 January 1919 – March 2012) was a New Zealand soldier in the World War II, a wartime female impersonator, and later a ballet dancer and a choreographer. He was the first New Zealander to perform with the Sadler's Wells Ballet (Royal Ballet) on a scholarship.

Early life and family Robinson was born in Dunedin on 9 January 1919, the son of Ethel and Harry Robinson. He attended St Clair School, before studying at King Edward Technical College.

War service In 1941, Robinson enlisted in the New Zealand Army and served for the remaining four years of World War II. During this time, he served as batman to Major Jack Marshall, who went on to become New Zealand's 28th Prime Minister. Robinson was posted to Fiji, Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Guadacanal and then the Treasury Islands. He was present for the opposed landing at Mono Island, which was the first of its kind to be carried out by New Zealand troops since the landing at Gallipoli. Military service provided a safety net for some men to explore their sexuality.

Career Upon his return to New Zealand, Robinson applied for a soldier's bursary to study ballet. He was accepted into Sadler's Wells Ballet school at age 26 and moved to London for his studies.

In London, Robinson flatted with Dyer and Morison, the two other homosexual female impersonators in the Pacific concert parties. They remained close friends until Stark's death in 1999. His ashes are buried in Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.