Robert Stanley was born in South Melbourne, Victoria, was single and a Labourer when he enlisted with the 46th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement on 22 February 1916 at the age of 40. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 4 April 1916. He was admitted to Portland Military Hospital in February 1917, suffering from bronchitis. He proceeded overseas to France in September 1916, but returned to England aboard the Hospital Ship Formosa in December again for bronchitis. He returned to Australia 17 March 1917 and on 29 June 1917 he received a medical discharge from service
Tree No. 2161