Robert Laurence Pillman was born on 9 February 1893 in Sidcup, Kent. He was educated at Merton Court School in his hometown and then at Rugby School, where he played rugby for three years.

After graduating, he joined White and Leonard, Solicitors, Ludgate Circus, London, but the war interrupted his training. After leaving Rugby, he played for the same club as his brother and gained an excellent reputation for playing hard and quick.

A talented flanker, he was selected to play for Kent and the London Counties, one of the only two teams to beat the South African team touring in 1912-1913. He earned his only cap for England against France on 13 April 1914, in the last international rugby match before the First World War.

He was mostly selected because his brother, playing in the same position, had broken his leg in the previous match (against Scotland). Also a talented golfer, he won the Gold Medal of the London Solicitor's Golfing Society just before the war.

Like so many others, when the Great War broke out, Robert answered the call and enlisted in the 10th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment on 1st September 1914. Initially appointed Lance Corporal, he was promoted to Captain in January 1916 and left for the Western Front in May.

Pillman volunteered for special duty and was hit during a night raid near Armentières. He died of his wounds a few hours later on 9 July 1916, aged 23.

He is buried at Calvaire Essex Military Cemetery (Plot IV. Row D. Grave 10), near Comines-Warneton. He is also commemorated on the local Sidcup Memorial and at his two former schools. His brother 'Cherry' enlisted in the First and Second World Wars and survived both.