He began his military career in 1779 with the 88th Foot under Colonel Thomas Keating. He initially served in Jamaica and in 1780 became a lieutenant in the 97th. With his new regiment he sailed to Gibraltar with Vice-Admiral George Darby's fleet in 1781 and participated in the latter part of the defence of Gibraltar during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. He later went on to serve in Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Cambridgeshire Militia. In 1799 he participated in the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland. He also served again in Jamaica and in Bengal.