Born c.1837.
Robert Issett entered theRoyal Military Asylum, Chelsea on the 12th of October 1846, aged 9 years and 3 months.
His father, Gunner-Driver Francis Issett of the Royal Artillery, was then shown as "Dead", and his mother, Jane, as "Still alive."
A brother, William, also entered the School on the 29th of December 1846, aged 6 years 3 months. He enlisted into the 1st Battalion of the 60th Foot on the 25th of October 1854.
Another brother, John, entered the School on the 13th of December 1847, aged 5 years and 3 months and enlisted into the 15th Hussars on the 18th of September 1856.
By this time their mother, Jane, was also shown as "Dead".
Robert Issett enlisted as No. 1213 at Chelsea on the 19th of January 1852.
Age: 15 years 1 month.
Height: 5' 1"
Trade: "No Trade".
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. "Medora" on the 17th of April 1854.
On a tablet at theRoyal Military Asylum, Chelsea, Robert Issett is said to have been "Killed at Balaclava".
However, he is not shown on the medal roll and the muster rolls show him as being at Scutari during the October — December 1854 Quarter.
He is shown on the muster rolls for October — December 1854, as "Died at Scutari, date not known."
The Royal Military Hospital Memorial Tablet records him as, "Dead, 23rd of November 1854."
From this it would appear that he did not serve in the Crimea proper and so would not have been entitled to a medal.