Taylour entered the British Army as a cornet in the 5th Dragoons in 1783. He purchased his lieutenancy in 1784 and captaincy in 1785. In June 1790 he purchased his commission as a major, and as a lieutenant-colonel in 1792. He served with his regiment first in Ireland, then from 1793 in the French Revolutionary Wars in Flanders and Germany, being brevetted colonel in 1796. During the Irish Rebellion of 1798 Taylour was promoted to brigadier-general in Ireland, and was second in command in the Battle of Ballinamuck, where he was mentioned in despatches by his superior, General Lake In 1801, he became major-general, and saw service in Ireland from 1803 to 1808, when he became a lieutenant-general. Taylour was brevetted a full general in August 1819 and received the colonelcy of the 6th Regiment of Dragoons Guards two years later.