Sergeant Robert Augustus Teer was born in Normanton Barracks, to RSM Patrick Teer and Emma Teer, in about 1886. He also had a brother called Charles. The family lived at 211 Quarry Road, Bulwell, Nottingham. 

On the 28th of December 1904, Robert enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters aged 18 years. He was 5ft 7 ½, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He had a scar above his right shoulder blade and one on the left side of his left elbow. He was given the Regimental number 9685. 

Robert served at home with the depot until the 14th of February 1907. He then served with the 1st Battalion in India. He saw service at Bangalore and Secunderabad. Robert converted from Roman Catholicism to Church of England during his time in India, in 1911. He returned home in April 1913 and joined the 2nd Battalion. 

He saw service during the Great War (1914-18), and this began with the 2nd Battalion. Robert and the Battalion landed in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in September 1914. Their first action was at Chemin Des Dames on the 20th of September, and Robert also saw action with the battalion at Ennetieres (October 1914) and Hooge in the Ypres Salient (January- July 1915). 

Robert returned home on the 7th of October 1915. He spent some of his time at home serving with the 3rd Battalion, who were working on home defences in the North East. He was promoted to Lance Corporal during this time and served with ‘L’ Company. 

Robert returned to France and served with the 1st Battalion between February and July 1916. He suffered a gunshot wound to the left hand and head on the 5th of July 1916. This prompted his return to home service. 

In January 1917, Robert returned to service in France, this time with the 17th Battalion, who were serving in the Ypres Salient. He displayed gallantry whilst serving with the 17th Battalion and was awarded the Military Medal (MM) (reported in the London Gazette, 14th of January 1918). He also increased in rank to Sergeant on the 16th of February 1917. 

Robert was posted to the 9th Battalion on the 8th of February 1918. He continued to display further gallantry and was awarded the Bar to his MM (reported in the London Gazette, 21st of October 1918), ‘For gallantry when taking part in a raid on the German lines on 18th June 1918, in the Posen and Chalk Pit Locality of Mazingarbe’. He was further awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), reported in the London Gazette on the 15th of November 1918, ‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. He went to the assistance of a daylight patrol which had been driven back by the enemy from a riverbank, and with another non-commissioned officer checked the hostile rush and put a machine gun out of action. He continued to cover the withdrawal until he was almost surrounded and then jumped into the river. He was forced to remain in the water for over an hour while the enemy were searching for him, but finally succeeded in reaching our line, bringing with him valuable information. He showed magnificent determination and resource’. 

 Robert was discharged to the Army reserve on the 10th of January 1919.