Robert Joseph Porter was born in London, England and was a Labourer living at Dawson Street, Ballarat when he enlisted in the 14th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement on 26 July 1915 at the age of 19. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. He was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital with enteritis on 22 March 1916 and was discharged overseas to base. While in Hospital he became sick with influenza and transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital. On 13 June 1916 he was deemed physically unfit for active duty and was invalided to Australia aboard the Hospital Transport Clan McGillivray. He was later discharged from active duty on 10 July 1916.
Tree No. 1807