Robert was the elder son of Robert Howard Shelton and his wife Gladys Marguerite Kauffman. He was born in Marylebone in 1921. His brother, Michael Howard Shelton, was born the following year.
Their father who became a stockbroker, had been awarded the DSO in 1917
Temp. Lt.-Com. Robert Howard Shelton, R.N.V.R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was repeatedly counter-attacked by the enemy, and some of his posts were driven in, and it was only by his personal bravery in placing himself at the head of his men and charging the enemy that the position was held.
Both boys were educated at Cranleigh and Robert Matriculated in 1940. He was awarded an Open Exhibition in Modern Languages and graduated with First Class Honours in French and Spanish after a year at Christ Church.
He was gazetted to the Border Regiment on 19 June 1942. He was, later, attached to the 5th Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters who made the assault landing at Salerno where they suffered heavy casualties.
Robert was shot by a sniper and was killed on 11 September 1943.
He is buried in the Salerno War Cemetery Plot I. E. 5.
His brother who was serving with 609 Squadron RAF was killed on 29 February, the following year, and is buried at Cambrai.
Their parents were living at the Shirley Park Hotel, Croydon. A memorial notice in the Times in 1945 was “in loving and imperishable memory of our dear sons”.
After the war, they travelled to South Africa, each winter. Their mother died in 1954 and their father, continued the winter visit, dying in 1961.