He was commissioned in the Imperial Yeomanry and saw active service with the 3rd Battalion in the Second Boer War, for which he was mentioned in despatches, awarded Queen's South Africa Medal with three clasps and the King's South Africa Medal with two clasps. He left Cape Town in April 1902, arrived at Southampton the following month, and relinquished his commission with the Imperial Yeomanry in August 1902. Following his return, he served with the 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse) and as a special service officer on the staff of the Somaliland Field Force in 1904.