Robert enlisted on 18th April 1918. He was 43 years and 5 months old; was a General Dealer by trade, and was living at 11 Jubilee Road, Polsloe Park, Exeter at the time. He was transferred to Reserve, and called up for service on 10th June 1918. Whilst training in June 1918, Robert caught a cold, and by 7th October was admitted to Catterick Military Hospital complaining of a cough, shortness of breath and coughing up phlegm. By the 16th he said he was feeling a little better and his breathing had improved, but at 2.30 a.m. on 18th he had a sudden attack of cardiac and respiratory failure. At 5.30 a.m. he had a further collapse and died within a few minutes. The cause of death was diagnosed as acute bronchitis, aggravated by exposure while on ordinary military service. Robert was the husband of Beatrice May Humphris.