Robert Hyett was born in 1805 in Awre. On 2 June 1817, he absconded from service as an apprentice and was sentenced to 21 days in prison. He then worked as a labourer in Blakeney. On 3 August 1826, at the age of 21 he was sentenced to transportation for life for the theft of three half-crowns and four shillings from Richard Peters, a labourer. After a spell on a hulk, he was transferred to the Andromeda which set sale on 14 Oct 1826 and arrived in Van Diemen’s Land on 23 Feb 1827.
He was employed in public works. He received a ticket of leave on 13 April 1831 but absconded on 2 December 1842 and 24 March 1843. His ticket of leave was revoked on 12 April 1843. He received a new ticket of leave on 12 August 1848 and a conditional pardon on 28 April 1851 and 10 July 1852. He married Margaret Robertson and had a daughter born on 28 June 1852.
He possibly returned to Gloucestershire.