Robert was the second of Thomas and Mary-Jane’s children and was born at Mt Egerton in 1878. Along with his brother William he left school at an early age to help support his mother and family after the early death of his father by working at a ginger beer factory, putting corks in bottles.

In 1907, Robert married Harriet Erwin, the daughter of the village blacksmith, Richard Erwin. The wedding was held at the Presbyterian Church in Stuart Mill and was conducted by Rev Cadwalla Jones, a friend of the Erwin family. From all accounts a good time was had by all, with much dancing and singing accompanied by bagpipes, violins, flute and clarinet. Eventually the newlyweds departed in the Erwin family’s best jinker, a cart used for moving heavy logs, a thick buggy rug to keep them warm, and their most trustworthy horse, Buckle. They travelled late at night for 14 miles along a very frosty road, finally arriving at their little home in Silvermines Road, St Arnaud. While Robert unharnessed, fed and watered him and put the jinker away, young Harriet lit the fire and cooked up a meal of bacon, eggs and thick buttered toast, together with a couple of cups of tea. According to their son Malcolm, ‘twas a smart start to married life – feed the brute!’

Robert and Harriet lost no time in starting their family and produced 9 children – Viola Maude, Robert William, Maurice Erwin, Malcolm John, Colin Stuart, Elsie Lorna, Richard Allen, John Gilbert, and Shirley Isabella. 

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As he grew older, Robert became well known as a public speaker and singer of popular music hall songs. He went on to become a haberdasher and worked as a draper in Bray’s Store, St Arnaud. It is reported that he always took good care of his hands, believing they were his ‘best No. 1 asset’.