He joined the Army as an Ensign in the 10th Foot in 1804 and transferred as a lieutenant to the Royal Horse Guards in 1805, rising to captain in 1809. In 1812 he went with the Horse Guards to the Peninsular War and the following year took part in the battles of Vitoria, the Pyrenees and Pamplona. He was made major in 1815 and saw action at Quatre Bras and Waterloo in 1815. He went on half-pay in 1816 and was made lieutenant-colonel on half-pay in 1826. He was promoted colonel in 1841, major-general in 1851, lieutenant-general in 1858 and full general in 1865.