Robert was educated at King William’s College, Isle of Man and University College, Liverpool, graduating B.Sc. Hons. in 1897; M.B., Ch.B. in 1900; and M.Sc. in 1904. Four years later he qualified D.P.H., Birmingham. After holding appointment as House Surgeon to the Rawcliffe Hospital, Chorley, he secured the appointment of Medical Officer of Health for the County Borough of Bury, and Medical Superintendent, Bury and District Joint Hospital Board, Fever and Smallpox Hospital, and Aitken Sanatorium for Consumption. Later he was appointed Medical Officer of Health for Cornwall and Principle Medical Officer, Cornwall Education Committee. He married Alice - 3rd daughter of Thomas Thornber of Vivary Bridge, Colne, co Lancashire, and Westbourne, Rusholme, Manchester - at Whalley Range, Manchester on 2nd April 1903. They had three children: Gordon, Georgina and Monica. He was a Fellow of the Society of Medical Officers of Health, and a member of the British Medical Association, and had held the offices of Senior Steward in Phoenix Lodge of Honour and Prudence, No 311, Truro, and of Junior Steward in the Royal Cornubian Chapterm No 331, Truro, of Royal Arch Masons. He was also the author of “Poliomyelitis and Dust Nuisance,” in the British Medical Journal, 1911; and “Poliomyelitis, as illustrated by an English Epidemic,” Paris Health Congress, 1913. Robert joined the R.A.M.C. (T.F.) in 1908 and was for some time Captain, 2nd Wessex Field Ambulance, and in February 1913 was promoted to Major upon appointment as Divisional Sanitary Officer to the 1st Division. On the outbreak of war he joined his unit for active service, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. On the afternoon of Thursday, 28th January 1915, he was riding between Newton St. Cyres and Exeter, accompanied by Col. H J Mackay, when his horse was frightened by some colts in a field near the roadway and bolted. Half a mile further on Robert was thrown and died within a few minutes from injuries caused by a fracture of the skull. He was buried at Chorley, Lancashire - the family burial place. An order issued by Brig-Gen G S McD Elliott, Commanding R.A.M.C. (T.F.) Wessex Division said: “Lieut-Col Burnet was an officer of very high professional attainments, and these he devoted unceasingly with never-failing energy and earnestness to the welfare of the Division. By his death the Army has been deprived of the service of an officer who can ill be spared, and those who knew him have lost a valued friend.” Robert was the fourth son of George Burnet Burnet of 5 Upper Dicconson Street, Wigan, Lancaster.