Robert Garnett was born on 7th August 1869 in Holme on Spalding Moor. He was the son of Robert Garnett and Sarah Garnett (formerly Handley) who married on 28th October 1854 in Eastrington, Yorkshire.

Robert was married twice. Firstly to Emily Olive who he married in 1898 in the Howden area. They had two children, Richard Olive (Dick) who was born in 1899 and Emily who was born in 1902. Robert's wife Emily died during the birth of Emily in 1902. He married his second wife, Harriet, and had two daughters. The first, Grace, was born in 1907 and the second, Sarah Ann (Sally-Ann) was born in 1908.

Robert used to lead horses along the canal bank at Newport. The horses were dragging barges to Blacktoft, near Goole. He also worked as a paint mixer at Sissons paint works in Hull.

Robert died on 19 October 1950 aged 81 years in Hull.