[2] At the outbreak of war in 1914, Robert was a miner at the Fife Coal Company's Rosie Pit[3] and married to Catherine Pitt.

He enlisted in January 1915 joining the 13th Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Lothian Regiment), British Army.

It was during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC for his actions during the Battle of Loos, on 26 September 1915.

Later, when another man considerably nearer the German lines was heard shouting for help, he crawled out again with utter disregard to the enemy's fire and carried him in also.

[6] His VC is displayed at the Royal Scots Museum, Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.