He was employed as Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General in the Sudan campaign of 1888, and afterwards as military secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, Madras, and was engaged in the Third Anglo-Burmese War.

He stayed in South Africa until peace had been signed in June 1902, when he returned to England on the SS Carisbrook Castle, landing at Southampton in early August.

[1] On the outbreak of World War I in 1914 Kekewich was appointed to the 13th (Western) Division,[10] which he commanded until shortly before his death by suicide at the age of 60 on 5 November 1914.

[13] The historian Thomas Pakenham describes Kekewich as "a pleasant ... unassuming man" but also a serious, painstaking soldier with strong nerves and diplomatic skills.

[14] These traits were needed during the siege of Kimberley when Cecil Rhodes behaved in an emotional and irresponsible manner, undermining Kekewich's leadership and standing with his military superiors,[15] and at one stage threatening to surrender the town.