Dawkins began his military career in 1878 when he was gazetted as a gentleman cadet to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
He served with the Kurram Valley Field Force and the Zaimusht expedition (29 November – 16 December 1879) under Brigadier-General John Tyler, taking part in the assault of Zawa.
[1][6] In 1884, Dawkins was appointed aide-de-camp to his future father-in-law, Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope.
He was given the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel, and the Queen's amnd King's South Africa Medals with six clasps.
In April 1919, he was placed on retirement pay on account of poor health contracted on active service in France.
[18] Six months later, he died at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Westminster, from illness contracted on active service in France.