Robert Henry Geddes (SN 1547) was born in Ballarat and attended the Queen Street State School. He was a 19 year old bricklayer when he enlisted in the 7th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement on December 8th 1914. His unit embarked from Melbourne on board the Runic in February and he came ashore at Gallipoli on April 30th, just a few days after the historic landing. In July 1916 he transferred to the 58th Battalion in France. In October 1917 he was wounded in action, sustaining a severe gunshot wound to the groin, and was subsequently evacuated to hospital in England. While recovering in the early months of 1918 he found himself on two minor charges because he had a light burning 'after "Lights Out"' and 'because he failed to carry out his duties as mess orderly'. His injury forced his repatriation from England in July on board the Boonah and he disembarked in Melbourne in September. He was discharged as medically unfit on November 1st 1918..