Archdall joined the British Army as a cornet in the 12th Dragoons and rose through the ranks in that regiment to that of full general on 27 May 1825.
He had command of the regiment under Sir Ralph Abercromby during the Egyptian campaign, losing his right arm in an impromptu cavalry charge at Lake Mareotis in 1801.
[2] In 1833, he and wife Jane were passengers in a carriage accident cause by flooding near Castle Saunderson in Cavan.
[3] He was MP for County Fermanagh in the Parliament of the UK from 1802 to 1834 following his father, who had been a co-opted member in 1801.
He was also Governor of County Fermanagh (1813–1831), Grand Master of the Orange Order (1818–1822) and a Trustee of the Irish Linen Board.