He was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Artillery in 1889. In 1898 he served with the Yukon Field Force. He went to South Africa with 1st Canadian Contingent during the Boer War. From 1901 to 1902, he served with the South African Constabulary in the Transvaal. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 1908 and commanded the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in 1911.