[citation needed] He began his military career as an Ensign in the 61st South Gloucestershire Regiment in November 1862, promoted to Lieutenant in October 1865 and passed from Staff College in 1872.

During the Anglo-Zulu War, he was aide-de-camp to Major General Crealocke (1st Division), then deployed with Clarke's column on reconnaissance missions (medal and clasp).

In Spring 1880, he was attached to 72nd Highlanders at Kabul (staff), became orderly officer to General Thomas Durand Baker, taking part in the Logar Valley expedition of May–June 1880.

In 1882, he was involved in the Egyptian War, as Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General on the base and lines of communication; he was present at Tel-el-Kebir, gaining the Khedive's Star and 4th Class Osminieh.

The araucarias were raised from seed brought from South America by the late Thomas Bland Garland and are probably the oldest in England grown by this method.