He served during the early nineteenth century, and was mortally wounded while commanding HMS Miranda in the Crimean War.

Howe was at this time under the command of Captain Robert Smart, as the flagship of Francis Mason, then the second-in-command of the Mediterranean Fleet.

Queen was at this time in the Mediterranean as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Owen, and was commanded by John Baker Porter Hay.

Lyons's time aboard Queen was short-lived, he was appointed to the 24-gun HMS Aigle, under Captain Lord Clarence Paget, on 15 April 1844.

He was promoted to captain on 4 October 1849, and then took command of the wooden screw sloop HMS Miranda on her commissioning at Sheerness on 25 February 1854.