Robert Peter Atkinson (SN 4429) was Melbourne born but grew up at Cambrian Hill where he attended the local state school. He had worked as a blacksmith and labourer before he enlisted as a 21-year-old on October 15th 1915. He trained with the 8th Battalion before embarking from Melbourne on January 28th 1916 aboard the Themistocles. In April, while in Egypt, he was transferred to the 58th Battalion and reached France on June 23rd. Sadly, little more than two weeks later at only 22 years of age, he was killed in action near Fromelles. He is buried at Rue Petillon Cemetery and remembered on the honour board of the Cambrian Hill State School.

His brother Jack took part in the Gallipoli landing with the 1st New Zealand Division and was also killed in action in France in 1917.