Robert Augustus Master was born in Dacca on 9 Nov 1806. His father was Gilbert Coventry Master, Judge of the Provisional court of appeal for the Division of Calcutta and his mother was Augusta Master, daughter of Sir James Campbell Kt, of Inverneill. He was educated at Rugby and was a cadet in 1824, posted to the 7th BLC as a cornet on 12 May 1825 but promoted to lieutenant the next day. He served at Bhurtpore and in 1826 spent time on detachment in the 4th BLC.
He was acting ADC to Maj-Gen Thomas Shuldham in 1827 and acting Adjutant in the 7th BLC in March 1828. He became permanent Adjutant from 28 Jan 1830 to 28 Nov 1835. In 1834 he was on the Shekhawat expedition. He was promoted to captain on 10 Mar 1841 and was a staff officer under Colonel Kenny. On 5 Oct 1847 he was appointed to command the 11th Irregular Cavalry, until October 1855, during which time he was promoted to major on 20 Dec 1851. He returned to the 7th BLC as Commandant in Oct 1855 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He had commanded the Irregulars in the Second Sikh War at Multan, Gujarat and the pursuit of the Sikhs and Afghans to Peshawar.
In the Indian Mutiny his regiment mutinied and he fought at Lucknow from 30 June - 22 Nov 1857. He was on furlough from 1858 till 14 Nov 1859 and was then a brevet colonel in the 2nd European Light Cavalry from 28 Dec 1859. He was appointed CB on 24 Mar 1858 and retired on 31 Dec 1861. He married twice; first to Isabella Hennessey, at Kaitha on 30 Mar 1830, but she died at Meerut on 9 Oct 1832. He married again, to Marian Kennedy. R A Master was promoted to Honorary Major-General on 31 Dec 1861, the day he retired. He died on 27 Jan 1865 at Belbrook House, Cheltenham.
