He was appointed Ensign without purchase in the 1st Battalion, 2nd (The Queen's Royal) Regiment of Foot on 2 February 1858 and was appointed to command the escort of General Sir James Jackson, General Officer Commanding Cape of Good Hope. When this officer was succeeded by General Wynward he was appointed ADC. He resigned this post on the outbreak of war with China in 1860 and accompanied his regiment to the Far East where he was appointed ADC to the Commander of the Queen's, Sir Alfred Jephson, holding this post for the duration of the war. He was promoted Lieutenant by purchase on 12 October 1860, the day Pekin surrendered to the Allies and engaged in the China war at Sinho and at the taking of Tanku and Taku forts. He was mentioned in despatches. He was appointed Captain by purchase on 20 July 1866. He was (acting) Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General (QMG) in Bombay from 25 May 1869 to April 1870 when he was sent to Abyssinia on the outbreak of war. He was in charge of the transport train and was mentioned by Lord Napier in despatches for "zeal, energy and ability". In 1875 he graduated at the staff college, and was promoted major in 1877.