 In 1893 he was seconded from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry for service in the Army Pay Department.Dorling served in South Africa throughout the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902.He was Field Paymaster to the Natal Field Force, which took part in the effort to Relieve Ladysmith, and he was thus present at the battles of Colenso (December 1899) and the Tugela Heights (February 1900).