He was a second cousin once removed of the naturalist Charles Darwin, their shared ancestors (CWD's great-great-grandparents, CRD's great-grandparents), being Robert Darwin of Elston and his wife Elizabeth (née Hill).
[1] They had three sons, each of whom pursued military careers: Darwin entered the British Army in 1873,[3] achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Durham Light Infantry in 1894, before his retirement in 1895.
Despite official retirement, he was appointed a major in the 4th (Militia) battalion of his regiment on 15 February 1900,[4] and again saw active service with this battalion in South Africa during the Second Boer War, where he was awarded the service medal with 3 clasps.
[5] From 1905 to 1912 Darwin was commanding officer of the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.
He died in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1928,[7] where forces were stationed as part of the British Army of the Rhine, and his funeral was held there.