Lieutenant Robert Fleming was born in Toronto, Ontario on 31 October 1921, the son of Robert Fleming and Elizabeth Sinclair Patten. He had one brother and one sister.

He attended Upper Canada College from the age of 8 where he would later become active in rugby, hockey and track, and a Sergeant of the UCC Cadet Corps. After matriculation, he was enrolled at the University of Toronto.

Fleming joined the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps at the University of Toronto on 16 January 1940. He enlisted with The Queen’s Own Rifles Militia Regiment where he served as a Second Lieutenant for several months before joining the active service battalion on 3 June 1941. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 13 December 1941 and continued his officer training at Brockville and Borden before arriving in England on 9 March 1942.

Fleming continued his training and was also assigned postings to various higher headquarters. On 11 May 1944, he also married Miss Sheila Hiller who was serving as in the WRCNS. The wedding took place in Chilworth, Sussex, England and the bride was given away by then Major Neil Gordon who was Fleming’s Company Commander and her brother-in-law.

Lieutenant Fleming landed on Juno Beach with D Company on D-Day, 6 June 1944 however, he was first reported missing but then confirmed as killed while commanding his platoon during the battle for Le Mesnil Patry on 11 June 1944, age 22.

He is buried in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference III. B. 4. He is also commemorated on a stained glass window in St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (along with QOR Acting Captain W.D. Stewart who was killed in July.)