[a][2][3][5] After leaving Harrow, Dickins was commissioned into the British Army in 1842, initially as an ensign in the 98th (Prince of Wales's) Regiment of Foot.
He transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers almost immediately and served until 1848 in the East Indies, being promoted to lieutenant in 1846.
On returning to Britain in 1848 he served in Scotland, the north of England and in Ireland, transferring to the 46th Regiment of Foot as a captain.
[2] He resigned his commission in 1854 and the following year joined a contingent of British ex-servicemen to fight in the Crimean War with the rank of major.
He made his first-class debut for the Gentlemen of Kent during 1848 at Canterbury, shortly after returning from service in the East Indies.