Robert was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1874 to Robert Russell and Elizabeth Wilson. Robert had two family members, Ivan and Frederick, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

Robert was a miner at Leonora, WA when he enlisted in the AIF, on the 21^st of September 1915, aged 42. In January 1916 he was allotted to the 13^th Reinforcements, 16^th Battalion before he embarked from Fremantle, WA aboard the HMAT A54 Runic, disembarking in Egypt in late February.

In April 1916, in France, Robert transferred to the 48^th Battalion which participated in the Battle of Pozieres, towards the end of July. In August 1917, he transferred to the 4^th Division Salvage Company. He had two weeks leave in England in December. Robert was admitted to hospital in France in June 1918, - suffering from Trench Fever - and evacuated back to England and admitted to the Birmingham War Hospital, Rednal. He was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford and discharged to two weeks leave at the end of July. Robert embarked for home aboard the Leicestershire in December and disembarked at Fremantle, WA in mid January 1919 and was immediately admitted to the 8^th Australian General Hospital, Fremantle - chronic rheumatism due to the trench fever. He was discharged from the AIF in WA in March.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour, the Roll of Honour for the Coimadai State School and the Leonora Road Board District Roll of Honor. He is also remembered in the Coimadai Avenue of Honour.

Notes

1. Service No. should be 4329.