Robert enlisted into the R.A.M.C. on 24th May 1909. He was 18 years and 8 months old; and was an Indoor Domestic by trade, previously serving as a Domestic/Steward in the Royal Navy. After serving his agreed time, he was transferred to Army Reserve on 24th May 1912, then mobilized at the outbreak of war, and was posted to serve with the 2nd Field Ambulance. He embarked at Southampton on 18th August 1914 with the unit, then disembarking the next day at Boulogne, entered the war in France on 19th August 1914. On 28th December 1916 he was admitted into the 1/1st South Midland Casualty Clearing Station suffering a wound to his left hand. He was evacuated to No 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples on the 30th, where he stayed until 1st January 1917, when he was transferred to a convalescent depot. On 4th April 1917 he joined Base Details in Rouen, who posted him to serve with the 103rd Field Ambulance, joining them in the field two days later, on the 6th April. He remained serving with this medical unit until the end of the war. He was transferred to Army Reserve on 23rd May 1919.