Commissioned within five years, he saw service in Madagascar and was made an officer of the Legion of Honour before being promoted to the rank of général de brigade.

Waddington had command of the French 12th Dragoon Brigade in the Occupation of the Rhineland following the First World War, and died there at Mainz on 23 June 1920.

Waddington attended the École d'application de la cavalerie (cavalry training school) in Saumur from 1 October 1888 to 31 August 1889 and graduated second in his class of 130 candidates.

Upon the outbreak of war, he was mobilised into the 6th Military Region of France and given command of the cavalry of the 51st Infantry Division and later the 31st Dragoon Regiment.

At the start of the war he was commended for leading his groups of squadrons in action against the German forces in Belgium, at Voulpaix and at Mondement-Montgivroux.

Becoming ill whilst on campaign, he refused to seek treatment for fear of missing an action in the field and led the brigade at the Third Battle of Picardy and in the pursuit of withdrawing German forces towards the end of the war.

The honour guard was provided by his entire cavalry brigade together with detachments of troops from the rest of the French Army of the Rhine, flags and standards were flown veiled in black crepe.