He joined the Rifle Brigade and was commissioned as an Ensign in April 1855 before being promoted to Lieutenant later the same year. He served throughout the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and saw action at the Siege of Cawnpore, the Siege of Lucknow and at the capture of Calpee with Ross' Camel Corps. He was promoted to Captain in 1863 and resigned from the regular army with this rank, joining the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles, a reserve unit.