Robert was born New Cumnock, Ayrshire in 1890, the son of John Brown, 4 The Common, Arniston, Gorebridge, Midlothian.
At the outbreak of war, he enlisted into the Army Service Corps in London and was posted to the 496th Mechanical Transport Company as a driver.
Robert died in the Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital in Corsham on 21st October 1915 and was buried four days later. He was 25 years old.