Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Chedgey a domestic gardener, born 1866 in Aldenham, Herts., and his wife Ellen Elizabeth Chedgey (nee Felkin, married 18th May 1889 in the Little Berkhanstead, Herts. district), born q2 1860 in Sheerness, Kent. Robert Edwin was born on the 3rd January 1895 in Bitteswell, Leics., his siblings were, William C., born 1892 and Percy James, born 1893 the latter two siblings were both born in Little Berkhampstead, Herts., Dora Annie, born 1897 in Bitteswell, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Bitteswell, Leics. In April 1911 Robert was employed as a domestic house boy and was residing in the family home at Bitteswell, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Dora and Frederick Bernard, born 1903 in Bitteswell, Leics. His elder brother Percy James died of wounds received in action. Robert enlisted into the Royal Navy for the period of hostilities on the 17th August 1915, and was allocated the service number L/7249 in Portsmouth, Hants. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of 35¾ inches, his hair colour was black and he had grey eyes, his complexion was described as fresh, it was noted that he had a large scar on the left side of his neck, a scar in the centre of his forehead and a scar over his right eyebrow, he gave his trade or calling as butcher. His record of service began when he joined HMS Victory I as an Officers Steward 3rd Class on the 17/8/15 – 19/10/15. HMS Hecla (Christopher), 20/10/15 – 29/2/16, when he was promoted to Officers Steward 2nd Class. HMS Hecla (Christopher), 1/3/16 - -?-. HMS Greenwich (Norman), -?- - 23/2/18, when he accidentally fell overboard and was lost at sea (drowned).