[4][5] He took part in the Izazai expedition in 1892, was promoted to captain on 24 September 1895, and went to Chitral in the North West Frontier of India in 1896.

[6] Fowler served in the Second Boer War as a member of the South Africa Field Force,[5] and attached to the 2nd Division Telegraph Battalion, and was mentioned in despatches (dated 8 April 1902).

[7] Following the end of the war in June 1902, he received a brevet promotion to major in the South African Honours list published on 26 June 1902,[8] and returned home with his division on the SS Britannic from Cape Town to Southampton in October that year.

[11] Fowler also served in the First World War as Director of Army Signals for the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).

[5] A temporary colonel in August 1914,[12] he was promoted to temporary brigadier general in October 1914,[13] he was made a major general in January 1917[14] and appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in January 1918.