Robert had served in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment for 12 years, his service included 6 years and 126 days abroad. He wrote a letter to a friend stating that he had served in Ceylon for 3 years, up until 1899, he then went to South Africa (Boer War) and then home again. Robert was awarded three medals for his service during that time - 1) Queen's South Africa (QSA) medal with clasps for a) Defense of Kimberley, b) Orange Free State, c) Transvaal. 2) King's South Africa (KSA) medal with clasps for a) South Africa 1901, b) South Africa 1902, 3) Kimberley Star. He was discharged on the 11th December 1904, due to expiration of first period of limited engagement. During civil life, Robert married and had a daughter on the 24th July 1911. He joined the St John’s Ambulance Brigade and was employed as a tram Inspector. Robert enlisted into the RAMC on the 7th August 1914. His service record advises that his service was to involve home hospital reserve for home service only, this could be due to his age being 38 years old. Robert served as a Nursing Orderly and Surgical Ward Master from the 7th August 1914 to November 1915. On the 1st April 1915 he was promoted to Corporal, then Sergeant on the 14th June 1915. Also during this time, Robert was known to have worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley as an Orderly to the Indian Officers Ward for over one month, he received a reference from the Commanding Officer stating that he was a man who was patient and who could be thoroughly relied on to carry out any orders, of excellent character, a hard worker and trustworthy. On the 4th February 1916, Robert was sent to Egypt where he served with the 12th Egyptian Stationery Hospital. From March 1916 to December 1916 he acted as a Sergeant Steward, he was then promoted to Staff Sergeant in charge of the office of the ADMS. The certificate of his promotion states that he had been with the Egyptian Hospital Administration since March 1916 and had worked with the establishment of two new hospitals, one being No 6 Egyptian Stationery Hospital in March 1918. On the 5th March 1919, Robert was mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished services in the Field. On the 12th May 1919, he received a Certificate of Thanks on leaving No 12 Egyptian Stationery Hospital, for his departure from the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and his re-entry into civil life, however Robert appears to have continued to serve with the Russian Hospital at Tel-El-Kebir. A reference written on the 3rd July 1920 by the Capt & Qt Mr in charge of the Russian Hospital states that Robert “has been on the strength of this unit, since 1st February 1920 and prior to that, with No 7 Prisoners of War Hospital, he has been employed in the Quartermasters Department for the greater part of his service with the units mentioned above. He has proved himself, reliable, painstaking and accurate, doing everything asked of him willingly and to my entire satisfaction, he is an excellent clerk.” On the 25th July 1920, Robert was sent home, he was discharged from the army on the 1st September 1920, due to DAH (Disordered Action of the Heart) with a 50% pension to commence 1st February 1921. He died on the 25th July 1921 due to pneumonia and heart failure. Robert is commemorated by the St John Ambulance Corps Brigade in the Accrington Corps Roll of Honour, a memorial dedicated to the men of this corps who gave their lives in the service of their country in the Great War. [Information and portrait photograph kindly provided by Robert's Grandson, Dave]