Robert was the eldest son of Whiteley and Jessy (nee Huntriss) Tolson of Oaklands, 1 Greenhead Lane, Dalton. He was educated at Aysgarth School, near Newton le Willows, and King William's College, Castletown, Isle of Man. He was employed at the Leeds branch of the Becketts Bank. On 9.10.1909 he married Miss Zoe A. Stanley, "Kirk Lea", Driffield, and enlisted as a Private in the Public Schools Battalion in September, 1914.

In January, 1915 he obtained a commission in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and transferred to the 15th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment in September, 1915.

He went with them to Egypt in September, 1915, and then to France in March, 1916. Aged 31, he was killed in action at Serre, 1.7.1916, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, while leading troops from the 15th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment over the top.

His father received a telegram informing him that his son had been wounded. Second Lieutenant Tolson's body was eventually found in March, 1917; he is buried in Serre Road Cemetery, and is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at Huddersfield Parish Church, St Johns Church Kirkheaton, and at the Tolson Memorial Museum. Robert's brother in law, Hugh Staveley, was also killed in action.