He was originally commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1893, and transferred to the Indian Staff Corps in 1894.
He served on the North West Frontier with the 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs at the defence of Malakand; relief of Chakdara, Malakand; action of Landakai; operations in Bajaur and in the Mamund Country; Tirah 1897, operations in the Barah Valley 7 to 14 December 1897.
[2] He was made a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in 1913 and a Commander (military) of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and mentioned in despatches for valuable services in the field during the Third Afghan War (London Gazette 3 August 1920).
Was an administrator in British India, his many political appointments included Agent to the Governor General, Punjab States 1925–27; he twice served as the Chief Commissioner of Baluchistan.
He was knighted and appointed a KCIE in the News Years Honours list of 1 January 1930.