reynolds was born in the village of lamorran in cornwall in 1745. his exact date of birth is unknown, but he was baptised on 30 july to parents john and elizabeth reynolds. robert reynolds joined the royal navy at 14, under captain george edgcumbe in hms "hero" during the seven years' war. a few months after joining the ship, "hero" was engaged in the battle of quiberon bay at which a french fleet was destroyed. although there is no direct proof of his presence at the action, it is likely that reynolds was on board and witnessed the engagement first hand. reynolds remained with the ship for several years and during the 1760s served on hms "brilliant", hms "pearl" and hms "venus", becoming a midshipman and passing the lieutenant's exam in 1770.