Henry Tufnell Roberts was born in Newport, Isle of Wight on 30 July 1785. He was the son of Major William Roberts of Leamington, an officer in the 30th Bengal NI. He arrived in India on 8 Nov 1799 and was posted as cornet in the 5th Bengal Native Cavalry on 1 June 1800. He was a lieutenant on 17 July 1801 and served in Baghelkhand in 1803. He was at the occupation of Bundelkhand in 1803 and was at Kapsa and Kalpi. He served in Bundelkhand and Rewah in 1809-10 as brigade major. In 1813 there was further service in Baghelkhand where the regiment was at the storming and capture of Entauri. From May to November 1814 he was appointed Quartermaster of the 5th BLC, but on 14 Nov 1814 he raised and commanded Roberts’ Rohilla Horse. His command of that irregular unit ended in Jan 1822, during which time he was promoted to captain on 1 Sep 1818.
In Major V C P Hodson’s biographies Harry Roberts was a Captain Lieutenant in the 5th BNC on 16 Sep 1815 and fought in the Nepal War of 1815-16 also the 3rd Maharatta War of 1817-18, and at Satanwari. He went on furlough from Jan 1822 to July 1826, during which time he transferred to the 1st Extra Cavalry on 17 June 1825 with the rank of major. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 2 Oct 1828 and appointed to the command of the 5th BLC on 7 Nov 1828, then transferred to his old regiment, the 5th BLC to be CO from 18 Oct 1833. However, he was on furlough from Feb 1832 to 24 Dec 1836. He then served in the Nizam’s Army, commanding the Aurangabad Division from 23 Jan 1837 to 20 Feb 1839. He was promoted to Colonel on 19 May 1838 and appointed Colonel of the 7th BLC on 19 Sep 1838. On 8 May 1839 he went on furlough. He had been awarded the CB on 27 Sep 1831 and promoted to major-general on 23 Nov 184, lieutenant-general on 11 Nov 1851. He was married to Jane Beckley of Leamington on 17 June 1823. Lieutenant-General Harry Tufnell Roberts died at his home, Beauchamp Lodge, Leamington on 3 Feb 1859. His wife, Jane died on 16 July 1890 aged 89.
