Robert John, known as Bob, was born at Mannanarie on 3 April, 1874. His education may have been partially completed by the time he and his parents came to Payneham to live, but it is known Bob attended the East Adelaide Public school for some of his education. Here the (later) bass-baritone singer Peter Dawson was also a pupil. A few years older than Peter, Bob was a friend of his and an admirer and close follower of his singing career in later life. On leaving school, Bob’s first job was as a clerk with Harold Colton’s hardware business, but he left because of ill health. A doctor suggested an occupation in the outdoors, and Bob started working with his brother Hurtle on a fruit block belonging to the Loader family in Henry Street, Payneham, close to Bob’s home. Later he came to work for his father at John Street. Albert William and his eldest son grew oranges, lemons, peaches and apricots for sale in Adelaide.

About 1896, Bob Sandercock married Alice Ada Matilda (Alice) Martin, daughter of market gardeners from Firle. They lived in one of the houses on the block until about 1917, when Bob built a new home, called ‘Chelsea’. The young Sandercocks had one son Albert Roy (Roy) and two daughters Ruby Alice and Edna May, all of whom married. Roy’s two sisters are now deceased; Roy himself is the second oldest Sandercock descendant living in 1981 and remembers much about his father and grandfather Albert William. He can remember the Third Creek flooding the lower portion of the John Street block and the house of his grandparents being 2 feet under water. Other parts of the land on the block were up to three feet under water. When ‘Chelsea House’ was built, the house was sited on the highest part of the block, away from the danger of floodwaters from the creek. The fruit trees were later removed by Bob and the land put over to the growing of vegetables, also for sale in Adelaide at the East End Produce Market. (This old complex of buildings is still in use today for the purpose of selling fruit and vegetables.) During the Depression, Roy can remember the slump in prices, when a dozen lettuces could be bought for a shilling, and the same amount for 12 pounds of beans.

Bob Sandercock is reputed to have owned the third bicycle in this state! (He previously owned a penny farthing.) He raced his bicycle and was Captain of the Payneham Cycling Club at one time. He is remembered as not liking cameras and did not like having his photograph taken. His son Roy left the Wellington Road Public School when he was 12 and worked with Bob on the block at Payneham. in 1911 Roy went to work for a year with his uncle Percy at Balaklava and was away at the time of his grandmother Jane’s death. He also had dealings with the Sandercocks at Kenton Valley, and knew his father’s cousins - the children of John – who were about his own age. Roy’s sisters Ruby and Edna worked at home after they left the Wellington Street School.

Bob Sandercock contracted diabetes in older age. He also had a weak heart, but could get about on his own until the last month of his life. His wife Alice had died at their home on 4 November, 1922, aged only 44. Her death was sudden and its cause unknown. She was nursed before her death by Bob’s cousin Ada from Gawler. Robert died on 27 August, 1960, in his 87th year. About 2 years later the John Street block was sold by Roy, who is now retired. Robert and Alice are buried beside his parents at Payneham.