Robert was killed by a sniper whilst leading a party of the Royal Scots Greys to the trenches, and stepping aside on a traverse to allow them to pass that, he was shot and killed almost instantly. Robert had gained the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant just two weeks prior to his death, he was a veteran soldier having served ten years in India. He was a reservist for six years and was mobilised when war broke. Robert had lived with his wife and three children at 27 Oxford Street, Salford, Lancashire, and had worked at the Manchester Ship Canal Company as a foreman loader inspector. He was an ardent Catholic and attended St. Joseph’s Church, West Craven Street, Salford, Lancashire. Robert’s wife received the news of his death just a month after burying one of their children.