Robert the Russian aka Robert the Robot, oooer I am coming over all nostalgic again, he certainly was a character.
I am fully aware of my own ability to waffle and bore to international standards on subjects Staffordian, and apologise in advance for beginning another tale. If you are bored by my ramblings please do not read on, and imagine the pain of my work colleagues who are unable to escape from my monologues; mind you I often find myself bundled and locked in various cupboards in the firestation when they have had enough; and there was the incident when I got cut off by fire in that disused warehouse and everyones radio wasn't working except mine when I was asking for assistance, ... come to think of it there have been a number of incidents like that over the years!
Anyway Robert ... I actually got to know Robert quite well when I worked for Social Services in the 80's. He was a rather forlorne soul who had built a fantasy world around himself, but what a world. He told me that he was a member of the SS who had an army in Germany comprising of thousands of men and tanks who were waiting on his say so to invade England. He used to wear a German style uniform when I first knew him, complete with a swastika on his arm, and paraded around the town with a Great Dane for company.
I don't know where the Russian tag came from because he was always germanic when I saw him.
Legend has it that Robert used to work in Lotus Shoe factory sweeping up, and that as a simple soul he found himself picked on, and dare I say harrassed, by the predominantly female workforce. This is where Roberts fantasy world had its origins, he used to tell the women that he was visited by robotic space people, and even that he had relations with the females of the species! This was the unlikley origins of the 'Robot' tag. Robert lived with his mum at this time.
Robert lost his job at Lotus and his behaviour became even more bizarre. He wasn't too unkempt at first, but as he aged, he became more dishevelled and downright filthy! Kids picked on him mercilessly and his temper got shorter. He could often be seen ranting in the Market Square, and he even brandished an air pistol at a group of taunting kids on one occaision; this lead to a court appearance.
Robert moved to a property in Sash St in the mid 80's, and I helped him decide what he was going to take with him from his house on North Walls. It was interesting an experience and earned me the admiration of the Borough Housing Officer and a Lunch at the Swan.
I moved to Lancashire shortly after and lost touch with Robert's story, I only know that he is no longer with us.
If you will forgive me a bit of amature psychology, I think Robert created his own fantasy world in order to cope with this one. He was really a lonely chap who sought to gain approval and kudos with his tall tales. I think the world was a richer place for having him, even if he did smell like a midden pit on legs.
If you can all stand it, I will write a bit about 'Poddy the Poacher' next visit.