 He was promoted as a colonel in the Wiltshire Yeomanry in 1797–1811.He became a Colonel of Wiltshire Militia in 1811–27, a largely honorary appointment, although his record was one of sabre-rattling against the French behaving for the most part like an Ultra.From an early age his father wanted him to have management control of the family's electoral interest at Marlborough, in which place he continued until inheriting his father's estates.