Robert Dalton was born at Swanscombe in Kent on 17 February 1886, the son of William Thomas Dalton & Elizabeth Ann (Lizzie) Dalton (née Reader) of  Swanscombe. After leaving school he trained and qualified as a Fitter and Turner and he joined the Royal Navy as a Direct Entry Engine Room Artificer 4th Class at HMS VICTORY II at Portsmouth on 13 March 1907.  He then served in various ships and naval establishments and, by 13 May 1914, he was an Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class.  For most of the First World War he served in the cruiser HMS BRISTOL (part of the 4th Cruiser Squadron) in the West Indies.  The ship was involved in the operations at the Falkland Islands in late 1914 and in the subsequent search for SMS DRESDEN before being deployed to the Mediterranean.

Robert Dalton was a Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class when he joined HMS DOLPHIN on 8 May 1917 ‘for the Submarine Course’ before joining the Submarine Flotilla Leader HMS FEARLESS ‘for Submarine HMS K15’ (29 March 1918 to 5 January 1920), the Submarine Flotilla Leader HMS CRESCENT followed by HMS ROYAL ARTHUR ‘for Submarine HMS K15’ (10 September 1920 to 5 August 1921) – note that HMS K15 was accidentally sunk alongside HMS CANTERBURY at Portsmouth on 25 June 1921.  Robert Dalton returned to HMS DOLPHIN before serving in HMS H31 from 11 August 1922 to 18 November 1924.  He then joined the Submarine Depot Ship HMS MAIDSTONE ‘for Submarine HMS H29’ (10 January 1925 to 9 August 1926).

Robert Dalton died when HMS H29 sank in an accident in No.2 Basin in HM Dockyard at Devonport on 9 August 1926.  He was the husband of Elsie Emily Dalton (née Jones) of  Southsea, Hants and the father of two sons and a daughter.