Private James Hawkins was born near Exeter and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade in March 1854, aged 17 years. He subseqently served in the Crimea from January 1854 until June 1856 and is verified as being present in operations before Sebastopol, in addition to being engaged in the Lucknow operations during the Indian Mutiny. Regularly in and out of confinement for drunkeness, he was finally discharged in May 1876, the officiating Officer describing his conduct as 'Indifferent' and commenting that he was 'Addicted to Drink but a smart soldier'.