Robert Hawkes was born in Okehampton, Devon on 30 Jan 1791. He was posted as cornet in the 5th BNC on 30 July 1806, reaching the regiment in 1809 and promoted to lieutenant on 9 Nov 1811. He was Adjutant in the 5th from 4 Nov 1816 to 1824 and was with the regiment in the 3rd Maharatta war, present at Chanda and the pursuit of the Pindaris. He was acting ADC to Brigadier J W Adams (London Gazette 7 Dec 1818) and ADC to the Commander-in-Chief on 11 Feb 1824. He was commissioned to raise and command the 7th Local Horse on 19 Nov 1824, promoted to captain on 13 May 1825 and transferred to the 1st Extra Regiment (9th BLC) in May 1825.
Captain Hawkes was 2nd AAG of the Army from 12 Mar 1833 to 31 Jan 1834 and commanded the 3rd Local Horse from 13 Mar 1835 to 19 Fen 1838. He was promoted to major on 10 Oct 1836. On 25 Dec 1838 he was in command of the 9th BLC until 6 Oct 1841, promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 23 Dec 1839 and officially appointed CO of the 9th on 14 Mar 1840. He was transferred to the 1st BLC on 22 Sep 1841 but went on furlough from 31 Jan 1842 to 25 Nov 1844. He transferred back to the 9th BLC on 5 Dec 1844 and was then transferred to the 8th BLC on 6 Dec 1847. He went back to the 1st BLC (date?) and was on furlough from 10 April 1849 to Dec 1851. There was then a succession of transfers; 4th BLC, 22 Sep 1851, 8th BLC, Oct 1851, 7th BLC (date?), 9th BLC, 14 April 1852. He commanded a brigade at Ambala on 26 Jan 1852 and commanded at Lucknow from 1852-54. He went on furlough from 6 March 1854 and was promoted to major-general on 28 Nov 1854. He was Colonel of the 4th European Bengal Light Cavalry after the Mutiny. Promoted to lieutenant-general on 17 Aug 1864 and General on 25 June 1870. He died at 52 York terrace, Regent’s Park, London on 18 Dec 1876. He was married to Caroline Morris on 1 Nov 1812, at Cawnpore, but divorced on 18 June 1828.
