He was a 28 year old captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at the Battle of Elandslaagte for which he was awarded the VC.

At the Battle of Elandslaagte on the 21st October, 1899, after the main Boer position had been captured, some men of the Gordon Highlanders, when about to assault a kopje in advance, were exposed to a heavy cross-fire and, having lost their leaders, commenced to waver.

By his conspicuous bravery and fearless example, he rallied the men and led them against the enemy's position, where he fell, desperately wounded in four places.

He was promoted to the substantive rank of captain in the Gordon Highlanders on 22 January 1902,[3] and was seconded as a staff officer to Saint Helena.

With only one arm to control the horse, he chose to steer it into some cast iron railings, to avoid a nursemaid who was pushing a baby in her pram.