Died with 37 comrades from his battalion during an air raid where their dug-out was heavily strafed. Originally joined up into the Army Ordnance Corps. After serving in Salonika and being wounded he was put in a hospital in Malta. Proceeding this, he was sent back to France and was at the rest camp where he met his death. See his entry in the wounded men of Filey list for full details.

An officer of the regiment wrote in a letter to Mr. Rickaby "Whilst lying in camp, enemy aircraft attacked us and your nephew was killed instantly by the explosion of a bomb. He was buried with full military honours, and rests with brother soldiers, who like himself, have given their lives for England"

He was brought up by Mr & Mrs. Denton Rickaby, after his father was drowned whilst at sea before he was born and was the verger of St. John's Church, Filey. His Grandmother was Mary Watkinson of 2, Clarence View, Belle-Vue St., who had twelve children and Grandchildren in the forces (two of which were to die before the end of the war). Mr. Rickaby was a cobler, and had a pair of Greek papushes (shoes) in his shop window for many years. These had been sent to him from Robert whilst he was in hospital in Salonika.