Private Robert Lineker was born in St Nicholas, Nottingham, in 1871 to Mr and Mrs William Lineker. He enlisted into The Sherwood Foresters on the 6th of August 1891 in Derby. His regimental number was 3211. 

Robert was a 4th Battalion Militia Man. He began his service in the Regiment at the Regimental Depot before he was posted to the 1st Battalion on the 1st of October 1891. The following year Robert was posted to the 2nd Battalion. 

It was serving with the 2nd Battalion that Robert partook in the Tirah Expedition of 1897. The beginning of the trouble in Northwest India began in June 1897 with what was known as the ‘Maizar Outrage’. This was an attack on British Officers who were part of an escort of a political prisoner; three were killed, three wounded and another forty-eight were casualties. The unrest increased after the initial attempt to deter risings in the area. It would not be until mid-September that the 2nd Battalion would be selected as part of operations in the Northwest and join the Tirah Expeditionary Force.  

Robert was discharged after nearly eight years’ service on the 1st of July 1899. However, he was soon recalled to the colours to join the 1st Battalion on the 1st of November 1899. 

Robert then served with the 1st Battalion in the Second Boer War of 1899-1902. He was sadly wounded during the course of his service on the 20th of April 1900, at De Wetsdrop, when a Boer shell took off most of his lower leg (below the knee). The result was that his leg was amputated, by the injury, and was carried by Private Bradshaw.