Rawlins was the son of Colonel
Stuart Rawlins. He was educated at
Wellington College, read medicine at
University College, Oxford and trained at
Barts, graduating in 1945. Soon after, Rawlins began his career as a surgeon lieutenant Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve officer and was assigned to the
Colossus class aircraft carrier in 1947. He was appointed a
Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 for his work with
protective helmets, and was promoted to the rank of surgeon commander while he continued his research at the IAM until 1961. Rawlins served as the RN Director of Health and Research from 1975 to 1977 and later as the RN Medical Director General from 1977 to 1980 when he retired as
surgeon vice admiral. ==Other honours==