Born in Poplar, London, in 1892, Robert John Helps migrated to Victorian around 1912 (possibly accompanied by fellow Soccer Anzac and housemate Stanley Witham). They resided at 15 Martin St, Albert Park and played with the Prahran club.
Private Helps’ military career was tragically brief and his record absurdly minimal. He joined the 23rd Battalion in France in January 1916, lost a water bottle (for which he was made to pay), attained the rank of Lance Corporal in early August and was killed in action two days later, three short weeks after Witham.