the army then transferred donkin, in the role of quartermaster-general, to the mediterranean command. he served there from 1810 to 1813, taking part in the catalan expeditions under lieutenant-general frederick maitland (1812) and lord william bentinck (1813). in july 1815, the now major-general donkin received a posting to india, distinguishing himself as a divisional commander in hastings's operations against the mahrattas (1817–1818) and receiving the kcb as his reward. the death of his young wife elizabeth frances "née" markham seriously affected him, after that he went to the cape of good hope on extended sick leave. from 1820 to 1821 he administered the cape colony with success as acting governor. he named the rising seaport of algoa bay port elizabeth in memory of his wife and in august 1820 erected a memorial to her on a hill overlooking algoa bay. in 1821 he became lieutenant-general and a knight grand cross of the royal guelphic order.