Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Padmore, a waggoner, born 1860 in Coston, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Padmore (nee Knight, married in the 3rd quarter of 1886 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1861 in Whissendine, Rutland. Robert was born on the 25th December 1888 in Whissendine, Rutland, his siblings were, John Thomas, born 1887 and George Kirton, born 15th October 1890, both his siblings were born in Whissendine, Rutland, in April 1891 the family home was at Brook Lane, Welby, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Robert was residing in the family home at Spreckley’s Barn, Burton Lazars, Leicestershire, together with his father, a farm waggoner, his mother and siblings, John, George, Edith Ann, born in the 18th July 1893 in Whissendine, Rutland, Susannah, born 1897 in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, Lilian Mary, born in the 1st quarter of 1899 in Tollerton, Nottinghamshire and Hilda, born 16th November 1900 in Burton Lazars. In April 1911 Robert was absent from the family home at Welby, residing there was his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Susannah, Lilian, Hilda, Agnes Eliza, born 17th January 1903, and Elsie, born 1905, the latter two siblings were born in Burton Lazars, Robert was employed as a farm labourer and was residing as a boarder at Main Street, Queniborough, Leicestershire. The family later resided at Roseberry Avenue, Asfordby Valley, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Robert had served for 14 days with the Nottinghamshire & Derby Regt., and was recorded as an Army reservist on the 9th December 1915. His record of service commenced when he was mobilised on the 2/7/17. Posted to the 3rd Reserve Battalion at Blandford Camp on the 3/7/17. Joined the 3rd Reserve Battalion on the 5/7/17. Rated Able Bodied Seaman on the 22/10/17. Drafted to the Anson Battalion on the 30/10/17. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 30/10/17. Admitted to the 149th Field Ambulance on the 27/12/17. Admitted to the 16th General Hospital, Le Treport, suffering from I.C.T. feet, mild on the 29/12/17. Admitted to the 3rd Convalescent Depot, Le Treport on the 25/1/18. Discharged to Base Details, Le Treport on the 13/2/18. Joined “L” Brigade on the 13/2/18. Rejoined the Anson Battalion, in the field on the 25/2/18. Reported missing in action on the 24/3/18. Letter received stating, Prisoner of War at:- Kiregskefangenerlagar, 11, Rennbahn, Munster in Westfalen on the 16/5/18. Letter received stating Rating died from pneumonia at 8.00 o’clock in the evening of the 22/6/18, in the Union Hospital, Friemershem, Niederrheim, Germany. Buried in cemetery on 26/6/18 in presence of comrades.
On Friday October 4th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS. - The following local names appear in the official casualty lists which have been published during the past week: - From Friday’s list: - Died as a Prisoner of War. R.N.V.R. – Padmore, R/4547 R. (Melton Mowbray).