[2] He raised the part-time 3rd (Truman, Hanbury, Buxton) Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps mainly from employees of the family's Black Eagle Brewery in Spitalfields and was commissioned as its captain commandant on 4 May 1860.

[6] Sir Fowell retired from the command on 23 November 1883 and became the unit's Honorary Colonel on 9 February 1884.

The governor's allowance was reduced and customs duty was charged on their household items (including his wife's invalid carriage).

Buxton took up the job anyway, and later was described as the most genial, sociable and common-sense governor, due to his gentle and unassuming friendliness.

He visited gaols and hospitals, and showed genuine interest in Aboriginal culture during his time as governor.