Occupation Notes

His Attestation Form describes him as aged 19 years, 5 feet 9.5 inches tall, fair complexion, hazel eyes, dark brown hair and no distinguishing marks. On enlistment he received a Bounty of three pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence. He was initially based at Chatham in the 1st Company of the Marine Light Infantry, but on the 4th February, 1848, he transferred to the 10th Company of the Marines Artillery, based at Portsmouth. He was a third class gunner throughout his service. His service number in the Marine artillery was 7953.

He served in the following vessels:
Aigle - 1st September 1841 to 30th August 1845.
Recruit - 15th September 1846 to 8th November 1847.
Birkenhead - 8th June 1850 to 17th October 1852.
Ajax - 14th September 1853 to 9th March 1854.
Hecla - 21st March 1854 to 19th May 1855.
Implacable - 20th August 1855 to 26th September 1855.
Forth - 24th December 1855 to 2nd November 1856.
Adelaide, Calcutta and Imperador - 14th August 1857 to 17th July 1858.

On the 14th August 1857 he sailed for China on the Adelaide, a troopship, and was a member of the 'China Brigade'. During an attack on the Canton Forts, Robert was wounded by a musket ball through his foot. He subsequently received the China Medal with Canton Clasp.

He returned to the UK and was invalided from the service on 10th August, 1858. He was granted a pension for life of three pounds twelve shillings a year. This was more than the average yearly pay of a Farm Worker at that time.