[3] In 1851 he was commissioned as an ensign in the 18th Royal Irish Regiment[4] and served with them in the Second Burmese and Crimean Wars,[5] gaining promotion to captain in April 1855.

[6] Esmonde was a 26 years old captain in the 18th Regiment of Foot (later The Royal Irish Regiment) in the British Army during the siege of Sebastopol, Crimean War, when the following deeds took place on the 18 and 20 June 1855 for which he was awarded the VC: For having, after being engaged in the attack on the Redan, repeatedly assisted, at great personal risk under a heavy fire of shell and grape, in rescuing wounded men from exposed situations; and also, while in command of a covering party, two days after, for having rushed with the most prompt and daring gallantry to a spot where a fire-ball-from the enemy had just been lodged, which he effectually extinguished, before it had betrayed the position of the working party under his protection, – thus saving it from a murderous fire of shell and grape, which was immediately opened upon the spot where the fire-ball had fallen.

[3] In May 1865 he was appointed Deputy Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary,[9] while remaining in the army on half-pay on the unattached list, where he was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1868.

[11] While out hunting in Belgium, Esmonde suffered a severe eye injury when his horse rode into a bush.

[12] This led to his hospitalisation and ultimately caused his death in Bruges on 14 January 1872,[5] at St Julian's Hospital.