David Roberts was born in Egerton, VIC and was a Clerk by trade when he enlisted in the 22nd Battalion, 20th Reinforcement on 23 July 1917 at the age of 34. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 21 November 1917. He served on the Western Front with the 22nd Battalion and was wounded in action, gassed, on July 6th 1918. He returned to Australia after the war, disembarking at Melbourne on November 24th 1919.

His sister, Staff Nurse Annie Florence Roberts, Australian Army Nursing Service, returned to Australia, 13 April 1919 (Tree No. 963) and brother Pte Clarence Rupert Roberts, 8th Battalion, died of wounds, 13 August 1915 (Tree No. 82) also served.
Tree No. 3722