[3] Having served with distinction in the Cape Mounted Rifles, of which he became major, he was military secretary to Sir James Jackson, when commanding the forces at the Cape, and was ultimately colonel of the 18th Irish.

[1] Carey subsequently transferred to 2nd Battalion, 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot.

In 1863, he went to New Zealand and commanded the troops at the Capture of Orakau, a Māori stronghold.

[3] In 1865 he signed a peace treaty with Wiremu Tamihana, the Māori leader.

[3] In February 1861 he married Olivia Hester Thompson and together they went on to have four children.