Robert Pudner was born at Okehampton, Devon, on 11 April 1895, one of six surviving children of James Pudner, a farm labourer, and his wife Emily (née Jordan).

He joined HMS VIVID II at Devonport in August 1913 for Stoker training and subsequently served in the scout cruiser HMS FORESIGHT where he was rated Stoker 1st Class in August 1914. He was drafted to the submarine depot ship HMS DOLPHIN in May 1915 for two weeks and then joined HMS MAIDSTONE, depot ship for the Eighth Submarine Flotilla at Harwich. From 8 November 1915 to 7 December 1915 he was attached to HMS DOLPHIN and then to HMS TITANIA for HMS E30.  E30 was commissioned in November 1915 and then attached to the newly established Eleventh Submarine Flotilla at Blyth, Northumberland, for which TITANIA was the depot ship.

Robert Pudner lost his life by drowning on 20 December 1915, but the circumstances of this accident are not known.  His body was recovered and he is buried at Okehampton (All Saints) Churchyard.