Robert Mitchell was born on 21 September 1880 in Lancing Sussex. His parents were Frederick and Sarah Mitchell. Robert was baptised on 7 November 1880 in St. James the Less parish church in Lancing. 

The 1881 census shows Frederick's occupation as 'gardener'. Robert was the youngest member of the family; his older siblings listed were Emily (aged 8), Frederick (aged 7), Annie (aged 5) and Kate (aged 2). 

The 1891 census shows Frederick (then aged 51), Sarah (then aged 44), with their family living in North Road, Lancing. Frederick's occupation is shown as 'market garden labourer'. Their son Frederick (then aged 17) is living at home and is also a 'market garden labourer'. The only other siblings still at home are Robert (aged 10) and his sister Kate (aged 12). 

In 1901, they are recorded as living in the same address within the parish of St. James the Less. Robert is the only son (then aged 20) living at home; he is also a 'market garden labourer'. 

The 1911 census shows the family living at the same address in Lancing. Frederick is now 71 and still works as a 'domestic gardener'. His wife Sarah, is 64. Their eldest son, Frederick, is recorded as living there with his wife, Annie. Robert, then aged 30, unmarried, is living in the family home and continues to work as a 'market garden labourer'. Records show Sarah died on 2 November 1913, aged 67.

Little is known about Robert's army service. Records suggest he enlisted in the 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Debry Regiment) in Worthing, Sussex. His service number was 306908. It is likely he joined the Battalion before their first deployment in 1916. What is known is that the 2/5th Battalion was part of the second line Territorials within the British army. 

The 2/5th Battalion was formed at Derby on 16 October 1914 as a second line unit. It moved to Luton in January 1915 and was placed under the command of 2nd Notts & Derby Brigade in the 2nd North Midland Division. In August 1915, the formation became the 178th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division and moved to Watford. 

2/5th moved to Ireland in April 1916 to quell disturbances during the Easter Rising, It was stationed in Dublin, and after the suppression of the trouble moved to Curragh for the rest of the year engaged in war training. It moved again in January 1917 to Fovant, Salisbury, Wiltshire and then landed at Le Havre on 26 February 1917, and completed concentration around Mericourt. 

The Battalion's first engagement was taking part in the action following the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line from 17 March to 5 April 1917. The Battalion then saw action during the 1917 Battle of Ypres on the Menin Ridge (23 to 25 September 1917), and Polygon Wood (26 to 30 September 1917). 

In November, it was in action during the Battle of Cambrai; the capture of Bourlon Wood (28 November), and the subsequent German counterattacks (30 November to 3 December). Assuming Robert saw action during all of the battles he would have become a seasoned soldier. Robert was killed in action on 21 March 1918 during the Battle of San Quentin on the first day of the German Spring Offensive, (Operation Michael). 

The 2/5th Sherwood Foresters were involved in a fierce defence against the initial German advance in the line near Noreuil, France, when the Germans attacked. The Battalion was eventually surrounded and cut off, suffering heavy casualties, including Robert Mitchell. 

Quoting from the Official British History ‘Military Operations France and Belgium 1918’ pp:230-231, by Sir James E Edmonds (1935) MacMillan & Co. Source: Digital Library of India Item 2015.210686 “In the Battle Zone, where the fog had completely lifted, an attack on the defences covering Noreuil, held by the 2/5th Sherwood Foresters and an R.E. [Royal Engineers] detachment, began as early as 10.40 am, being preceded by a heavy barrage. 

Met by fire from the defences and the covering batteries, the enemy ceased his frontal attack to wait for the effects of the advance around both flanks of the position, that in the Hirondelle valley being already perceptible. 

To meet these turning movements, the right flank of the defence was thrown back, whilst, on the left, a line was manned along the road from Noreuil towards Longatte. The movement up the Hirondelle valley gained ground so rapidly, however, that the right flank of this position was soon driven in, Noreuil was captured, and the men still holding trenches in front of it were cut off. 

At noon, the 2/5th Sherwood Foresters, reduced to 150 men, was still clinging on near the south-west corner of Noreuil, with its right flank thrown back fronting the Hirondelle valley, and its left flank on the Longatte road, facing north-east. 

It was well supported by batteries of 295th Brigade RFA, which, however, found difficulty in selecting targets, as British and German parties kept appearing alternately only some 300-400 yards apart. 

At this time the German infantry, although its detachments constantly advertised their position by means of white Very lights, had not effective help from the artillery, which put down a barrage on the western edge of Noreuil, some thousand yards in rear of the advanced troops. 

About 12.30 pm, a message reached the Sherwood Foresters, stating that supports were being moved up to a trench 500 yards behind Noreuil, and a runner arriving from the rear at that moment reported that he had seen men in the trench. 

Lieut-Colonel HR Gadd thereupon decided to fall back on this support. It was just too late, the greater part of the survivors were surrounded from the north and cut off. Some held out until 3 pm but only a few managed to join the supporting force which had moved forward from behind Vraucourt about noon.” The Battle of St. Quentin was a critical event in the early stages of the German Spring Offensive. 

The 2/5 Sherwood Foresters played a significant role in resisting the German advance, albeit with considerable sacrifice. Robert Mitchell has no known grave; his name is recorded on Bay 7 of the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

The last official record pertaining to Robert is the Grant of Probate on 21 November 1918 naming Annie Mitchell as executor of his estate with a value of £385-5s-11d. His Father Frederick died in 1922 aged 83 years. His system Emily died 14 February 1958 aged 85 years.