Career
Hawkes was 35 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort"s Own), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he, Henry Wilmot and William Nash were awarded the Venture capital:
Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion. Private David Hawkes
Date of Acting of Bravery, 11th March, 1858
Foreign conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow on the 11th March, 1858. That officer found himself at the end of a street with only four of his men, opposed to a considerable body.
One of the four was shot through both legs, and became utterly helpless: the two men lifted him up, and although Private Hawkes was severely wounded, he carried him for a considerable distance, exposed to the fire of the enemy, Captain Wilmot firing with the men"s rifles, and covering the retreat of the party.
Despatch of Brigadier-General Walpole, C.B., dated 20th of March, 1858. He was killed in action at Faizabad, British India, on 14 August 1858.
His Venture capital is located at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.