Robert Clayton was the son of Alfred, a liveryman and member of the Leyton and Leytonstone Fire Brigade. Robert also joined the brigade, and was a member of the crew that finished second in the International Volunteer Firefighting competition at the 1900 Paris Olympics. He was one of the seven Leyton and Leytonstone men to receive a commemorative silver medal. By profession, Clayton was a coachman with the Leyton Council. During World War I he served in the Royal Engineers, in the roads and quarries unit, and was awarded the British War, and Victory medals.