Background
He was born 13 October 1813 in Drayton the son of Robert Napier Raikes the vicar of Gayton and rector of Hellesdon all in Norfolk, England. And the grandson of Robert Raikes, the promoter of Sunday schools.
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Robert General
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He was at Addiscombe Military Seminary in 1828 as a cadet. He entered the Indian Army as a cadet in the Bengal Staff Corps on 19 November 1829 sailing from Portsmouth 29 November, arriving Calcutta 14 May 1829. He then travelled across country, only reaching his regiment at Cawnpore on 7 November.
Apparently his men carried the old flint-lock musket, of which Wellington"s maxim was "Don"t fire until you see the whites of their eyes." He first returned home "on furlough" 35 years later.
He was promoted to major in 1854 with the 67th Bengal Native Infantry. He became adjutant to the native Grenadiers, and later became adjutant to the First Gwalior Cavalry.
They quoted a native proverb that "an ill-wind was blowing", and refused to go any further. There was no mutiny; they just disbanded themselves and went home.
Being devoted to him, as he rode away they formed up on each side of the road, with tears pouring down their faces, and bade him farewell."
Raikes was promoted to colonel in 1866, lieutenant general in 1881 and general in 1889.
He was reputed to have shot a hundred tigers. He returned to England in 1870 and later retired to Watford and Malvern. He died aged 95 on 23 March 1909.
Raikes married Harriet Beckett in 1854.
They had three infant daughters who died in Agra during the Indian Rebellion. Their four sons were:
Robert Haig Napier Raikes born 2 April 1861, probably in India
Herbert William Napier Raikes born 1 June 1865 in Cheltenham, England, married in United States of America
Reginald Durie Napier Raikes born 28 January 1874
Major Cyril Probyn Napier Raikes born 12 November 1875.
