Son of J. and F. Lines, of Christchurch; husband of Victoria May Lines, of Petone, Wellington, New Zealand.

Robert Lines was killed near Ypres in France during the winter of 1917 and 1918. During this time technical troops and the reserve infantry brigades were improving the railway, increasing existing underground accommodation in the underground dugouts. The artillery were constructing platforms and cover for guns, shellproofing battery commanders' and observation posts etc. 'All this work was pushed on under generally adverse conditions. In December a series of snow-storms and frosts made the labour of digging the hard earth at once costly in tools and excessively arduous. On the icy duckboard tracks carrying and working parties, moving in single file, slipped and stumbled, and splinters from the enemy's high-explosive shells flew incredible distances. Even more difficult were conditions during the period of rainy weather, which started in January and lasted with scarcely a break till the first week in February. Parapets fell in, despite carefully made berms, and drains became choked. ... In the muddy wastes of the Reutelbeek patrols endured extreme hardships. For preserving the health of the troops in the line, minute arrangements were made by provision of gum-boots, of hot food and hot drinks, and of camphor treatment as a precaution against 'trench feet'.' (p. 318-319 of The New Zealand Division 1916-1919 A Popular History Based on Official Records by H.Stewart).

Lines' death is not recorded in the text of the official history (he does appear in the Roll of Honour at page 509) but details of the Brigade's actions on the days just before he died are as follows:

'On January 2nd, 1918, the New Zealand Rifle Brigade relieved the 4th Brigade in the old sector, the interchange being completed by 9 p.m. The front line was now divided into three battalion sub-sectors. That on the right was named "Reutel", after the site of the village which it included; the central sub-sector was known as "Judge", from the Judge Cross Roads and the ruins of Judge Cottage, both of these being German strong-points immediately opposite; and that on the left, which enveloped the remains of the hamlet of Noordemdhoek, was named "Noord". The 2nd Battalion took over Reutel sub-sector from the 3rd Wellington; the 3rd Battalion relieved 3rd Canterbury in Judge sub-sector; and the 4th Battalion replaced 3rd Auckland in Noord. The lst Battalion in Cameron Covert was relieved by 3rd Otago, and moved to a position in the Albania Area, immediately north-west of the Butte, as battalion in support. Shelling was persistent during the relief, and we suffered several casualties.

On the night of the relief the enemy attempted to raid the point of the salient at Joiner's Avenue in the 4th Battalion line. After a sharp fight the raiders were driven off, and were pursued into No Man's Land by Corporal A. Adamson and another. Unfortunately, both these men were wounded by a bomb. The corporal, however, not only succeeded in bringing his companion safely in, but also secured identifications from one of the enemy who had been killed. ...Enemy air-craft were active, flying low over our positions. Shelling continued with varying intensity upon our trenches and tracks, and carrying-parties moving over the exposed routes suffered severely.' (p. 259-260 The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade by W.S. Austin) AWMM