[2] He was educated at the East India Company's military seminary at Addiscombe, and in 1837 obtained a Bengal infantry cadetship.

[1] As a deputy assistant quartermaster-general he served in the Punjab campaign of 1848–1849, and was present in the affair at Ramnuggur, the passage of the Chenab, and the battles at Sadoolapore and Chillianwallah, where he was severely wounded (medal and clasps).

[1] In 1850 he served with the expedition under Sir Charles James Napier against the Afridees, and was present at the forcing of the Kohat Pass, near Peshawur (medal).

He became captain in his regiment on 8 February 1851, and received a brevet majority the day after for services in the Punjab in 1848–1849.

[1] As brevet lieutenant-colonel and assistant quartermaster-general he served with the force sent to suppress the Gogaira insurrection in 1857, where he commanded the field detachment from Lahore, which was three times engaged with the enemy.