Robert Buxton (cricketer)

Robert Vere Buxton (29 April 1883 – 1 October 1953), known as Robin Buxton, was an English first-class cricketer active 1906–09 who played for Middlesex, afterwards a soldier and banker.

Buxton was born in Victoria, London, a son of Francis Buxton, a barrister and Member of Parliament. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Oxford. He served in the Sudan Civil Service 1907–11. During World War I he was a captain in the West Kent Yeomanry but was seconded to command a battalion of the Imperial Camel Corps with the rank of acting lieutenant colonel. He became a colleague of T. E. Lawrence. He was awarded the DSO in 1919:"For gallant and successful services when in command of a flying column of Imperial Camel Corps operating in the Northern Hejaz. On August 8th, 1918, this column delivered a surprise attack on the strong Turkish post at Mudawara on the Hejaz Railway, 60 miles south of Maan. As a result the station was captured and destroyed, 35 Turks being killed and 150 prisoners captured. This operation – the success of which was largely due to Colonel Buxton's personal leadership and excellent dispositions – had the effect of completing the isolation of Medina and the Southern Hejaz garrisons from communication with the north." He was also awarded the 3rd class of the Order of the Nile. and made an officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy.

After the war, Buxton became a director of Martins Bank and his association with T. E. Lawrence continued. From 1945, he was deputy chairman of Martins Bank. He died in Itchen Abbas, Hampshire.