He joined the Hanoverian Foot Guards as an Ensign on 1 April 1774, and served there for the next twenty-eight years, being promoted to Captain on 8 December 1787.

[1] Following the French dissolution of Hanover, von Löw was one of the many soldiers who fled to Britain to form the King's German Legion.

[1] Still under Moore's overall command, von Löw was part of the force which landed in Maceira Bay, Portugal on 25 August 1808.

In March 1809 they became part of General Sir John Murray's KGL brigade, participated in the Oporto campaign but did not fight in the battle.

His first chance to lead them in combat was at the battle of Talavera, where they were badly mauled following an ill-timed charge across the Portina stream.