Robert Mitchell was born at Tamlaght, County Tyrone, and was a son of James and Lizzie Mitchell who later moved to live at Greenfield Street, Govan, Glasgow. Robert enlisted at Randalstown with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and had attained the rank of Corporal. He survived the Battle of Messines and was killed in action on the eve of the Third Battle of Ypres, on 6th August 1917.

Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders. The Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin (Menen) and Courtrai (Kortrijk). Each night at 8 pm the traffic is stopped at the Menin Gate while members of the local Fire Brigade sound the Last Post in the roadway under the Memorial's arches.