Robert Wardrope was born in Korumburra, Victoria in 1894, the son of Margaret and Thomas. A player named Wardrope is named as one of the better players for the Wonthaggi Rangers in 1910 and is on the 1912 team list for Wonthaggi. Enlisting in the AIF early, 21 October 1914, his service seems relatively uneventful: though he was reported in the Gippsland Mercury as ill in February 1916 and later charged twice with AWL, the second time for 10 days, forfeiting 46 days’ pay.
He married Mary McFarlane Munn on 25 November 1918 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. The couple returned to Australia separartely in mid 1919 and had one child during their marriage.
Robert was living in Prahran by 1940. He died on 19 January 1977 at the age of 83, and was buried in Fawkner, Victoria.