Born in Ballarat, Grenville, Victoria and a Plumber and gas fitter by occupation, Robert Wallace Crouch was 22 years and single when enlisted on the 2nd of July 1915 in the 8th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 3282. His Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A71 'Nestor' on the 11th of October 1915. On the 29th of April 1916 admitted to Hospital, Sick – Hernia from the 8th Field Ambulance, Ferry Post and transferred to the 15th Field Ambulance, Ferry Post. On the 7th of May 1916 admitted of painful scar at Ferry Post from the 15th Field Ambulance. Transferred to Tel-el-Kebir under instructions from the 5th Division, Ferry Post on the 12th of May 1916 and admitted to No. 3 Auxiliary Hospital of Hernia at Heliopolis. Transferred to H.T. 'Clan McGillivray' at Heliopolis on the 10th of July 1916 and Invalided to Australia of weak and tender Appendix Scar from the A.I.F., Headquarters, Cairo. On the 10th of July 1916 Embarked return to Australia per H.T. 'Clan McGillivray' ex Suez for discharge. Disembarked at Melbourne on the 7th of August 1916 and Discharged from the 3rd Military District, Military Unit on the 14th of September 1916. Tree No. 785